White House: We Will Remain Until the Complete Defeat of ISIS Forces in Syria

The White House announced on Wednesday that American forces have reached the 'finish line of their mission' in Syria and will soon exit the country; however, they will remain until the 'complete defeat of ISIS forces in Syria.' President Donald Trump had previously stated that all 2,000 U.S. military personnel in Syria would return to the U.S. This statement was welcomed by the Kurds. According to reports, following a meeting that Donald Trump had with U.S. national security officials on Tuesday, the White House spokesperson announced on Wednesday that the mission of U.S. forces to destroy ISIS in Syria is rapidly coming to an end. Nonetheless, he added that the U.S. and its allies are 'committed to eliminating the remaining remnants of ISIS in Syria.' The White House stated: 'Given the clearing of the area from members of the Islamic State group, the presence of U.S. forces alongside Kurdish allies and Arab militias will no longer be logical.' The statement further added: 'The United States and its allies are determined to completely eradicate the Islamic State group in Syria, although a small number of these ISIS forces still remain.' Last week, Trump stated that the U.S. has spent approximately seven trillion dollars in the Middle East with no benefit. He said, 'We will be leaving Syria very soon. Let the people take care of themselves.' Trump's remarks contradict the broader policy that the U.S. referenced in January of this year, stating that U.S. forces would help stabilize the region after ISIS's defeat and increase U.S. influence in Syria. Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had stated at that time that U.S. forces would remain in the country to prevent the return of ISIS and Al-Qaeda and to counter Iran's influence in Syria. Tillerson also warned that any withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria would open the door for the Syrian regime to commit violence against the people of that country. Although Trump has dismissed Rex Tillerson from his position, U.S. diplomatic and military forces continue to work to advance Washington's strategy and establish stability in eastern Syria. Joe Votel, the commander of U.S. military forces in the Middle East, stated on Tuesday that part of the work to establish stability falls to U.S. military forces.