(VOVWORLD) - US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Thursday that the US are not withdrawing from Syria. His announcement conflicts with President Donald Trump’s recent comment that he wanted to halt the US military presence in Syria soon.
 US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis (photo: AFP/VNA) |
Speaking at a hearing of the Senate Military Committee, Mattis said the US army will enhance military activities in Iraq, near the Syrian border. He warned that Washington will regret if it doesn’t maintain military presence in the region to prevent the re-emerging of the so-called Islamic State.
He said the US will expand the fight against IS and called for more support. He didn’t mention how long the US army will stay in Syria but affirmed that the US is training local forces to fight IS. A special task force arrived in Syria two weeks ago, Mattis said.