US wary of Putin’s declaration of military pullout from Syria
washington — The United States is voicing scepticism about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a major withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria and is arguing that his declaration of victory against Daesh was premature.
Putin, during a surprise visit on Monday to Russia’s Hmeymim air base in Syria, declared that the work of Russian forces was largely done in backing the Syrian government against militants in the country’s war following the defeat of “the most battle-hardened group of international terrorists”.
Still, US officials are challenging the Russian and Syrian portrayal of Syria as a country poised for peace once the final enclaves of the Daesh militant group are recaptured.
Syrian government forces, US officials said, are too few, too poor and too weak to secure the country. Daesh, and other militants in Syria, have ample opportunity to regroup, especially if the political grievances that drove the conflict remain unresolved, the officials said.
“We think the Russian declarations of Daesh’ defeat are premature,” a White House National Security Council spokeswoman said. “We have repeatedly seen in recent history that a premature declaration of victory was followed by a failure to consolidate military gains, stabilise the situation, and create the conditions that prevent terrorists from reemerging.”
The US military in Syria, which unlike the Russians are operating there without the blessing of Damascus, has long been sceptical of Moscow’s announced drawdowns.
Marine Major Adrian RankineGalloway, a Pentagon spokesman, said the United States had not observed any significant withdrawal since Putin’s announcement.
Although he did not predict future moves, he said: “There have been no meaningful reductions in combat troops following Russia’s previous announcements planned departures from Syria.”
The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said Moscow’s past announcements of pullouts led to a recalibration of Russian forces.
“Russia has previously used claims of partial withdrawals in or-
Putin announcement premature: White House
> Putin declared defeat of Daesh during a surprise visit to Russia’s base in Syria. > Putin also announce major withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria > However, US expresses scepticism over Russian claim and der to rotate out select units for refit-and-repair, remove redundant capabilities, and reinsert alternative weapons systems better suited for the next phase of pro-regime operations,” it wrote in a research note on Tuesday. says the victory declaration is premature. > US officials say Syrian forces are too few, too poor and too weak to secure the country. > US says no meaningful reductions in Russian troops has been observed.
The US military still has around 2,000 troops in Syria and has announced that any withdrawal will be conditions-based, arguing a longer-term presence of American forces would be needed to ensure Daesh’s lasting defeat.
Russia’s announcement, however, suggested a different image of Syria in which foreign forces were becoming unnecessary. After turning the tide of the conflict in Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s favour, Putin wants to help broker a peace deal.
A senior Trump administration official said that the United States believed Assad would fail if he attempts to impose “victor’s peace”.
The odds of Syria breaking into a civil war again would be high without meaningful political reconciliation, the official said.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday stressed the importance of a roadmap for peace, including elections that would allow voting by Syrians overseas who fled to the conflict. — Reuters