No timeline for Syria pullout: Pentagon

WASHINGTON: The US is implementing an orderly withdrawal of its troops from Syria based on operational conditions on the ground, including talks with its allies, and with no arbitrary timeline, the Pentagon has said.

It asserted that it is implementing the withdrawal of forces from northeast Syria within a framework coordinated across the US government.

“Operation Inherent Resolve is implementing the orderly withdrawal of forces from northeast Syria within a framework coordinated across the US government. The withdrawal is based on operational conditions on the ground, including conversation with our allies and partners, and is not be subject to an arbitrary timeline,” Pentagon spokesman Commander Sean Robertson said on Friday.

The US will continue to pro- vide support to the coalition’s operation in Syria while withdrawing troops in a deliberate and coordinated manner in order to ensure the safety and protection of US forces. The US currently has some 2,000 troops in Syria.

Last month, Trump had ordered withdrawal of troops from Syria. The then defence secretary James Mattis resigned in protest. In recent weeks, Trump has said that the withdrawal would be slow and gradual.

The Pentagon has taken a number of logistical measures to support an ordered withdrawal.

“For purposes of operational security, we will not discuss specific troop movements or timelines. However, we will confirm that there has been no redeployment of military personnel from Syria to date,” Robertson said.

The Pentagon spokesman said the US and its partners continue to pursue ISIS in the last remaining space the terror outfit holds.