900-strong force stays in Syria to help SDF: US Pentagon
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – About 900 US troops remain in Syria, working with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said Defense Department spokesman Navy Cmdr. Jessica McNulty
The US will stay in northeast Syria and in the vicinity of al-Tanf base, southeast Syria, Defense One quoted McNulty.
“Our sole mission in Syria is the enduring defeat of ISIS. The United States remains fully committed to the fight and will maintain its military presence in northeast Syria and in the vicinity of al-Tanf Garrison in southeast Syria,” McNulty added.
“The US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS continues to work by, with, and through vetted local partner forces, including the Syrian Democratic Forces,” McNulty stated.
On October 7, the US State Department spokesperson told North Press that President Biden has expressed support for maintaining the US forces in northeast Syria to support local partners and prevent an ISIS resurgence.
In an exclusive statement to North Press, the spokesperson added that the US and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS “remain committed to our presence in northeast Syria and our partnership with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS.”
On October 7, the White House said the US President Joe Biden extended sanctions against Turkey for another year.
“The actions of the Turkish government, represented in the military offensive in northeastern Syria, undermine the campaign to defeat ISIS,” Biden said in a statement published by the White House on its official website.
It is worth mentioning that the US and the Global Coalition forces provide advice and support for counter-terrorism operations launched by the SDF in northeast Syria. They also conduct airstrikes against ISIS cells in all over Syria.
Since October 2019, the Turkish forces and the Turkish-backed armed opposition factions have occupied the areas of the east of the Euphrates extending from the city of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain), north of Hasakah, to the city of Tel Abyad, north of Raqqa.