If US pulls out, Russia, Iran will control Syria: Merkel
FUTURE TENSE? Germany, France fear American move could create a vacuum
MUNICH: German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned on Saturday that Washington’s plan to swiftly pull its soldiers out of Syria risks allowing Russia and Iran to boost their role in the region.
Islamic State (IS) group fighters have been boxed in to a scrap of land in the battle for their last remaining territory in northeastern Syria and their final defeat is expected imminently.
Once they are defeated, US forces are expected to soon withdraw after American President Donald Trump last December a nnounced t he p ul l o ut o f around 2,000 troops.
But Washington is struggling to convince America’s allies to stay on in Syria after it leaves and Merkel warned of the risks of l e aving a vacuum i n t he region.
‘IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO SUDDENLY WITHDRAW?’
“Is it a good idea for the Americans to suddenly and quickly withdraw from Syria? Or will it o nce more s t r e ngt hen t he capacity of Iran and Russia to exert their influence?” Merkel said at the Munich Security Conference.
Pentagon chief Patrick Sha- nahan on Friday pledged ongoing backing for the fight against IS forces - but kept allies guessing as to how that would be achieved once US forces pull out, and won no solid pledges of support.
Belgian foreign minister Didier Reynders said the US had t ol d partners i n t he gl obal anti-is coalition that its soldiers would leave in “weeks rather than months”.
The decision has stunned allies including France, which contributes artillery and about 1 , 2 0 0 f o r c e s i n t he r e g i o n, including soldiers who train Iraqi troops.
French f oreign minister Jean-yves Le Drian asked why the US would create a vacuum in Syria t hat could benefit i t s e n e my Iran, calling the approach a “mystery”.
A top French government source told AFP it was “totally out of the question” to have French troops on the ground without US forces.