By Kevin Liptak
Military commanders warned President Donald Trump on December 26 during his surprise visit to Iraq that — despite his claims to the contrary — ISIS was not entirely defeated in Syria.
People familiar with the President’s reaction said the conversation was eye-opening for a leader who days earlier claimed the terror group was defeated “badly” in the country.
The warning comes into new light with the news that a suicide blast in northern Syria counts American troops among the dead and as Trump presses forward with a withdrawal of US forces from the country.
The terror group has claimed responsibility for the massacre in Manbij, a northern city that American-backed forces had worked to clear of Islamic State fighters. That did not stop Vice President Mike Pence, who was briefed on the attack earlier in the day, from declaring ISIS “defeated” during morning remarks.Trump was warned in Iraq that ISIS was not defeated in Syria
By Kevin Liptak, CNN
Posted at 1813 GMT (0213 HKT) January 16, 2019
Source: CNN
Pence says ISIS defeated shortly after they claim attack 00:46
Washington (CNN) — Military commanders warned President Donald Trump on December 26 during his surprise visit to Iraq that — despite his claims to the contrary — ISIS was not entirely defeated in Syria.
People familiar with the President’s reaction said the conversation was eye-opening for a leader who days earlier claimed the terror group was defeated “badly” in the country.
The warning comes into new light with the news that a suicide blast in northern Syria counts American troops among the dead and as Trump presses forward with a withdrawal of US forces from the country.
The terror group has claimed responsibility for the massacre in Manbij, a northern city that American-backed forces had worked to clear of Islamic State fighters. That did not stop Vice President Mike Pence, who was briefed on the attack earlier in the day, from declaring ISIS “defeated” during morning remarks.
US service members killed in ISIS-claimed attack in Syria
The December discussion occurred inside a tan tent at the al-Asad airbase west of Baghdad and included the US Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman, Lieutenant General Paul LaCamera, national security adviser John Bolton, and the first lady Melania Trump, along with other officials.
Trump was informed that pockets of ISIS militants remained in the Euphrates River valley and that US military had not yet eliminated all of their strongholds. Commanders told him the US had been successful in taking back other areas but that the job was not finished.
The latest bombing presents a stark reminder for Trump and his administration of the continued violence in Syria, even as he insists US troops begin returning home.
Trump initially announced in December that American servicemen and women would begin withdrawing immediately, against the advice of many of his national security advisers.
Since then, however, the administration has seemed to waver on the immediacy of the withdrawal. National security adviser John Bolton last week listed conditions for pulling out US troops that could take many months.
And Trump has taken a more cautious approach after being cautioned by top military brass that a complete and sudden withdrawal could lead to an ISIS resurgence.
China, Senegal to strengthen ties, promote China-Africa cooperation. >>> chinadailynetwork.com
Source: CNN Politics
