Kurdish-led SDF says not informed of US withdrawal from Syria, despite Trump comments

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stated on Friday that they have not been informed of any planned withdrawal of US forces from Syria as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State (IS).

US President Donald Trump stated at a rally in Ohio on Thursday that the US would pull its troops out of Syria “very soon.”

The speech appeared to contradict earlier statements by US State Department officials. Trump is known for speaking off the cuff about policy, sometimes to the apparent surprise of his staff and other government officials.

"We're knocking the hell out of ISIS," said Trump. "We'll be coming out of Syria, like, very soon. Let the other people take care of it now."

The SDF, made up primarily of fighters from the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), has been the key partner for the US-led coalition in Syria to defeat the Islamic State (IS), where some 2,000 US troops have been operating against the jihadist group.

“Our work and coordination (with the coalition) is continuing in the framework of the support program and joint operations in all regions,” SDF spokesperson Kino Gabriel told Reuters on Friday.

Referring to Trump’s statement, Gabriel stated that it “was not clear.”

“Statements that came from other American officials in the American administration did not confirm that or deny it.”

Asked if the US State Department was aware of any decision to withdraw forces Syria, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauret, replied, “I am not, no.”

The US-led coalition spokesperson, Col. Ryan Dillon told Reuters that the IS still controls territory at two locations in Syria - near Hajin, along the Euphrates River and at Dashisha, near the border with Iraq.

Dillon previously stated that military operations of the coalition in Syria have been limited over the past two months due to events in northwest Syria, where the SDF and YPG have been fighting Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels in the Kurdish enclave of Afrin.

“The coalition and the SDF continue to find opportunities to exploit ISIS weaknesses and conduct strikes against the remaining terrorists,” he said.

Editing by John J. Catherine