‘We have Trumped jihadis’ US defends pullout
DONALD Trump has strongly defended his decision to withdraw forces from Syria, telling US troops in neighbouring Iraq: “We’re no longer the suckers, folks.”
During the unannounced trip, Mr Trump’s first as president to troops in a war-torn region, he said the US had all but eliminated Islamic Statecontrolled territory in both Iraq and Syria so he had decided to withdraw 2000 military personnel from Syria.
He said the decision to leave Syria – which has drawn criticism from military officials and allies – showed the US’s renewed stature on the world stage and his quest to put “America first”.
“We’re no longer the suckers, folks,” Mr Trump – accompanied by wife Melania – told servicemen and women at al-Asad Airbase, 60km from Baghdad. “We’re respected again as a nation.”
The decision to pull US forces from Syria prompted the resignations of Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and the US envoy to the coalition fighting the Islamic extremists. But Mr Trump said he was in “no rush” to nominate a replacement for Mr Mattis.
“Everybody and his uncle wants that position,” he said yesterday. “And also, by the way, everybody and her aunt, just so I won’t be criticised.”
IS has lost nearly all its territory in Iraq and Syria but is still seen as a threat. Iraq declared the jihadis defeated within its borders in December last year, but Mr Trump’s trip was shrouded in secrecy, which has been standard practice for presidents flying into conflict areas.
Air Force One, lights out and window shutters drawn, flew overnight from Washington, landing at an air base west of Baghdad on Wednesday evening. George W. Bush made four trips to Iraq as president and Barack Obama made one.
“I made it clear from the beginning that our mission in Syria was to strip ISIS of its military strongholds,” said Mr Trump, who wore an olive green bomber style jacket as he was welcomed by chants of “USA! USA!” and speakers blaring the song God Bless The USA.
“We’ll be watching ISIS very closely. We’ll be watching them very, very closely, the remnants of ISIS.”
During his three-plus hours on the ground, Mr Trump did not meet any Iraqi officials, but spoke on the phone with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi. But the visit inflamed sensitivities about the continued presence of US forces in Iraq. The two major blocs in Parliament both condemned the visit.
Mr Trump also said he had no plans to withdraw the 5200 US forces in Iraq.