US preparing withdrawal from NE Syria: report

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

The U.S. is preparing to withdraw its forces from northeastern Syria where it has been working to defeat the Daesh terrorist group, according to a report published Wednesday.

The U.S. military has informed its partners in the region of the pending move, the Wall Street Journal reported citing anonymous individuals familiar with the matter.

The White House and the National Security Council did not immediately respond to Anadolu Agency's request for comment.

If true, the report directly contradicts past statements from top Trump administration officials, including National Security Advisor John Bolton, who insisted the U.S. would maintain its military posture in the region until Iranian forces left the country.

The report follows a military operation in northeastern Syria vowed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan against the YPG/PKK.

The U.S. had warned against such an operation as it works alongside the YPG-led SDF, which is fighting Daesh in its last remaining foothold in eastern Syria.