US pulling arms, not men, out of Syria

The US military says it has started pulling equipment, but not troops, out of Syria as a first step in meeting Donald Trump’s demand for a full military withdrawal.

The announcement is fuelling concern about how quickly the US will abandon its former Kurdish allies, amid contradictory statements recently by Trump administration officials on an exit timetable.

The withdrawal began with shipments of military equipment, but in coming weeks, a contingent of about 2,000 troops is expected to depart even as the White House says it will keep pressure on the so-called Islamic State group.