Top Senate Republican warns ‘precipitous’ Syria pullout benefits Russia, Iran

Washington (AFP) – The top Republican in Congress warned Monday that an abrupt pullback of US troops from Turkey’s border with Syria would only benefit Russia, Iran and Bashar al-Assad’s government in Damascus.

“A precipitous withdrawal of US forces from Syria would only benefit Russia, Iran, and the Assad regime,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement.

“And it would increase the risk that ISIS and other terrorist groups regroup.”

McConnell, one of President Donald Trump’s key allies in Congress, spoke out after the White House announced the decision late Sunday, effectively abandoning the Kurds, Washington’s main ally in the years-old battle against Islamic State militants.