US consults partners ahead of Syria withdrawal
The US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said 6 April that the military is talking with Kurdish partners and others in Syria to resolve questions over US support once the United States eventually withdraws from the war-torn country.
President Donald Trump last week said he wants the US presence in Syria to end 'very soon'. On 4 April the White House vowed the US mission would come to a 'rapid end', without actually setting a timeline.
A key issue is the fate of the thousands of Syrian Kurds that for years have been fighting IS with US training, equipment and air support.
'We are in consultation with our allies and partners right now, so we'll work all this out,' Mattis said when asked whether the US military is committed to supporting Syria's Kurdish fighters.
Many Kurds have already quit fighting the Islamic State group in Syria's eastern Deir Ezzor province so they can instead fight a Turkish offensive around Afrin in the north.
It is unclear what would happen to the Kurdish fighters after a US pull out, including whether they would be drawn into a broader fight with NATO member Turkey.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Rheinmetall reports “boom” as results hit new records with orders for vehicles, ammunition and weapons]()
Rheinmetall reports “boom” as results hit new records with orders for vehicles, ammunition and weapons
Rheinmetall is riding high as Europe scrambles to boost its defence forces and replenish spent stockpiles sent to Ukraine.
-
![Leonardo projects €30 billion in revenue by 2029]()
Leonardo projects €30 billion in revenue by 2029
The forecast came as the Italian firm presented its new 2025–29 industrial plan to analysts, with its future figures bolstered by the European increase in defence spending.
-
![What does the US decision to pause Ukraine support mean for the war and the stock markets?]()
What does the US decision to pause Ukraine support mean for the war and the stock markets?
NATO and other Western countries had been singing from the same song sheet since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia three years ago but the alliance has been weakened as the new US administration under President Donald Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine.
-
![Ireland begins work on buying fighter jets and doubling the naval fleet]()
Ireland begins work on buying fighter jets and doubling the naval fleet
Since the release of Ireland’s Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) report two years ago there have been whisperings about the potential of Ireland buying fighter jets, one of the most ambitious recommendations. The prospect has now inched closer.
-
![UK defence budget increased to 2.5% by 2027 as geopolitical landscape darkens]()
UK defence budget increased to 2.5% by 2027 as geopolitical landscape darkens
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer raises defence spending, while both NATO and President Trump demand significant further increases.
