Trump offers support to Syrian government against IS

WASHINGTON DC, United States (Kurdistan24) – President-elect of the United States Donald Trump on Friday said he plans on supporting the Syrian government in its war against the Islamic State (IS).

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Trump stated the fight against IS in Syria should be the US’ primary focus despite rebels who appealed for the Republican to assist them in their fight against President Bashar al-Assad.

“I’ve had an opposite view of many people regarding Syria,” Trump told the WSJ.

“My attitude was you’re fighting Syria, Syria is fighting [IS], and you have to get rid of [IS],” he continued.

Additionally, Trump stressed he “did not like [Assad] at all,” but said the extremism which threatens the US should be addressed.

Moreover, the president-elect also planned on strengthening the US’ relationship with Russia who is an ally and military backer of Syria amid the civil war.

“Russia is now totally aligned with Syria, and now you have Iran, which is becoming powerful because of us,” he said.

“We’re backing rebels against Syria, and we have no idea who those people are,” he added.

Trump explained if the US began to attack Assad they would effectively “end up fighting Russia,” according to the WSJ.

As the Syrian civil war enters its sixth year, the US administration under President Barack Obama stressed that Assad must be removed from his post to end the conflict in the country.

Under Obama, the US had supported rebels both logistically and financially along with its Gulf ally Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, representatives of Assad welcomed the potential support from Trump and said the Syrian President was “ready” to cooperate going forward.

Editing by Ava Homa