U.S. troops in Syria going to Iraq, not home as Trump claims

Esper did not rule out the idea that U.S. forces would conduct counterterrorism missions from Iraq into Syria. But he told reporters travelling with him that those details will be worked out over time.Trump nonetheless tweeted: “USA soldiers are not in combat or ceasefire zones. We have secured the Oil. Bringing soldiers home!”

Esper’s comments to reporters travelling with him were the first to specifically lay out where American troops will go as they shift from Syria and what the counter-IS fight could look like. Esper said he has spoken to his Iraqi counterpart about the plan to shift about 1,000 troops from Syria into western Iraq.

As Esper left Washington on Saturday, U.S. troops were continuing to pull out of northern Syria after Turkey’s invasion into the border region. Reports of sporadic clashes continued between Turkish-backed fighters and the Syria Kurdish forces despite a five-day ceasefire agreement hammered out Thursday between U.S. and Turkish leaders.The Turkish military’s death toll has risen to seven soldiers since it launched its offensive on Oct. 9.

The U.S. currently has more than 5,000 American forces in Iraq, under an agreement between the two countries. The U.S. pulled its troops out of Iraq in 2011 when combat operations there ended, but they went back in after IS began to take over large swaths of the country in 2014. The number of American forces in Iraq has remained small due to political sensitivities in the country, after years of what some Iraqis consider U.S. occupation during the war that began in 2003.

While he acknowledged reports of intermittent fighting despite the ceasefire agreement, he said that overall it “generally seems to be holding. We see a stability of the lines, if you will, on the ground.”

What!!!? Trump lies? When did THAT start?

Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

U.S. troops leaving Syria to go to western Iraq, Defence chief saysDefence Secretary Mark Esper did not rule out the idea that U.S. forces would conduct counterterrorism missions from Iraq into Syria
Source: globeandmail - 🏆 5. / 92 Read more »

While Turkey-Syria ceasefire appears shaky, Trump lauds it as a successTrump touted a cease-fire agreement that seemed at risk as Turkey and Kurdish fighters differed over what it required and whether combat had halted. LOL Trump said 'I think'. Not very fuckn' likely though is it. SHITFACE!
Source: GlobalNational - 🏆 81. / 51 Read more »

Turkey, Kurdish forces exchange blame as fighting continues in SyriaSyrian Kurdish-led forces and Turkey exchanged blame on Saturday for fighting that has rattled a U.S.-brokered cease-fire in northeastern Syria, as the Kurds appealed to Vice-President Mike Pence to enforce the deal.
Source: GlobalNational - 🏆 81. / 51 Read more »

Turkish-backed forces, Kurds clash despite Syria cease-fireTurkish-backed Syrian fighters clashed with Kurdish-led forces in several parts of northeastern Syria on Saturday, with some crossing the border from Turkey to attack a village, a war monitor said. Both sides blamed each other for fighting that has rattled the U.S.-brokered cease-fire. PKK Terrorists don't abide by cease-fires.
Source: CTVNews - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

'They'll come to kill us': Canadian trapped in Syria pleads to UN for helpA Canadian woman trapped in Syria after leaving the Islamic State has written a letter to the United Nations asking for help, as she faces threats from the incoming Turkish forces, Syrian military and a renewed ISIS. Too bad..so sad. You made your bed... Please help our Canadians ummm witch one in the picture is canadian?
Source: CTVNews - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »