Defense Secretary:

US Troops to Remain in Syria After Daesh Defeated to Train Locals

TEHRAN (defapress)- Defense Secretary James Mattis said at the Pentagon US troops will likely stay in Syria for the foreseeable future to train local forces after Daesh is eliminated.

News ID: 72665

Date: 25 September 2018 - 16:25

"Once we get those patrols going along the line of contact and we take out the rest of the caliphate, our goal would be to set up local security elements that prevent the return of [Daesh] while at the same time diplomatically supporting… the Geneva process," Mattis said on Monday, RIA Novosti reported.

Mattis’ statement differs from that of National Security Advisor John Bolton's remarks regarding US policy on Syria.

Mattis noted he and Bolton were "on the same sheet of music", when it comes to Syrian issue.

The defense secretary mentioned that the part of the Syria problem is Iran's involvement in the conflict.

Mattis stated that Washington must address Iran, because whenever the instability occurs in Syria, Iran's imprint can be found, claiming that "everywhere you go in the Middle East, where there is instability, you find Iran".

The United States has repeatedly condemned Iran for providing financial and military support to the Syrian government. In May, President Donald Trump announced his decision to leave the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and re-impose sanctions on Tehran and third states doing business with Iran. The US move was condemned by other signatories to the accord, who have expressed their commitment to preserving the deal.

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