Main U.S. ally in Syria warns troop pullout will lead to ISIS resurgence
/ AP
The United States' main ally in Syria on Thursday categorically rejected President Trump's claim that Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants have been defeated and warned that the withdrawal of American troops before accomplishing that goal would lead to a resurgence of the extremist group.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said in a strongly worded statement laced with bitterness that a premature U.S. pullout would have dangerous repercussions and a destabilizing effect on the entire region.
"The war against terrorism has not ended and (ISIS) has not been defeated," the statement said. It added that the fight against ISIS was at a "decisive" stage that requires even more support from the U.S.-led coalition.
It was the first official comment by the group on Mr. Trump's surprise announcement, which came a day earlier.
The U.S. began airstrikes against ISIS in Syria in 2014 and later sent in ground troops to aid Kurdish forces. Mr. Trump abruptly declared their mission accomplished in a tweet Wednesday. His contention that ISIS has been defeated contradicted his own experts' assessments and shocked his party's lawmakers, who called his decision rash and dangerous.
We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2018
Mr. Trump's decision to withdraw troops from Syria has rattled Washington's Kurdish allies, who are its most reliable partner in the country and among the most effective ground forces battling ISIS. With U.S. air support, the Kurds drove ISIS from much of northern and eastern Syria in a costly four-year campaign.
The announcement of a pullout is widely seen as an abandonment of a loyal ally.
"The decision to pull out under these circumstances will lead to a state of instability and create a political and military void in the region and leave its people between the claws of enemy forces," the SDF statement said.
Kurdish officials and commanders met into the night, discussing their responses to the decision, local residents said Thursday.
Sheikhmos, a Kurdish journalist and commentator, said "we have every right to be afraid."
"If the Americans pull out and leave us to the Turks or the (Syrian) regime our destiny will be like the Kurds of Iraqi Kurdistan in 1991 – million of refugees, there will be massacres. Neither the regime, not Iran nor Turkey, will accept our presence here," he said.
First published on December 20, 2018
© 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BuzzFeed wins defamation case related to Trump dossier story
A Russian technology executive had sued Buzzfeed over the publication of the unverified dossier
updated 1M ago 
U.S. ally in Syria warns troop pullout will lead to ISIS resurgence
"The war against terrorism has not ended and [ISIS] has not been defeated," Syrian Democratic Forces said
updated 4M ago 
Counting on a tax refund? You may owe this year, IRS says
The tax bill signed by Donald Trump last year may create an unwelcome surprise for some taxpayers in April
updated 10M ago 
Government funding bill passage now uncertain in the House
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi says GOP is in "disarray" as they try to work out way forward on bill to fund the government, given Trump's unhappiness about its lack of wall funding
updated 13M ago 
Wegmans pulls cauliflower rice, stir fry mixes on E. coli fears
Grocery chain sold possibly tainted products this month in produce departments at nearly 100 stores in six states
updated 23M ago 
BuzzFeed wins defamation case related to Trump dossier story
A Russian technology executive had sued Buzzfeed over the publication of the unverified dossier
updated 1M ago
Government funding bill passage now uncertain in the House
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi says GOP is in "disarray" as they try to work out way forward on bill to fund the government, given Trump's unhappiness about its lack of wall funding
updated 13M ago 
DNC announces 12 debates for 2020 presidential campaign
There will be six Democratic primary debates in 2019 and six in 2020. DNC Chairman Tom Perez also announced a "level playing field" for the debates
updated 30M ago 
Trump struggles to defend decision to pull out of Syria
He declared ISIS defeated in Syria and claimed Russia, Iran and Syria are unhappy with his decision
updated 10M ago 
House Intel votes to release Roger Stone transcript to Mueller
Earlier this month, Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the panel, said Mueller should be provided with Stone's testimony for evidence of perjury
updated 5M ago 
U.S. ally in Syria warns troop pullout will lead to ISIS resurgence
"The war against terrorism has not ended and [ISIS] has not been defeated," Syrian Democratic Forces said
updated 4M ago 
"Assad has won," expert says, as Trump pulls troops from Syria
Republicans and Democrats alike are condemning the president's decision to withdraw U.S. forces
updated 7M ago 
Drone sightings wreak havoc at London's Gatwick Airport
10,000 passengers hit by delays and cancellations, including 4,000 who are stuck at airports unable to depart or arrive
4H ago 
Putin warns of growing threat of nuclear war
"The danger of the situation escalating is being downplayed," Putin said during his annual end-of-year news conference
4H ago 
Church holds marathon Mass to shield family from deportation
The marathon Mass has been going on 24 hours a day, for six weeks, five days and 23 hours, without a single break
17H ago 
Cher explains why she isn't the woman you see on stage
Cher joins this year's prestigious class of artists receiving recognition from the Kennedy Center for their lifetime contributions to American culture
3H ago 
Macaulay Culkin is "Home Alone" again in new ad
"You have the house to yourself," Google Assistant tells a grown-up Kevin McCallister, 28 years after he was first left home alone
17H ago 
Eliza Dushku breaks silence on $9.5 million settlement
Actress Eliza Dushku speaks out about her harassment on-set with "Bull" in an op-ed
18H ago 
CBS employees call for transparency and accountability from CBS board
After the CBS board of directors said its investigation into former CEO Leslie Moonves and workplace culture issues was complete, some CBS employees and others called for the board to be more open about the findings
Dec 19 
Gisele Bündchen in note to younger self: "You are enough"
"Keep following your heart and don't apologize for being you," she writes
21H ago 
Amazon sent 1,700 Alexa recordings to wrong customer
Man who reportedly never used the company's virtual assistant received 1,700 recordings it had made of a stranger
1H ago 
Companies use VR to train employees for hostage situations, robberies
"VR takes your brain elsewhere…. It's basically like visualization on steroids"
3H ago 
Addicted to your smartphone? How track your screen time
Apple and Google both have tools to help you manage your screen time on mobile devices
16H ago 
DC attorney general sues Facebook over privacy scandal
Lawsuit accuses social media giant of misleading users about the security of their personal data
23H ago 
Surprising discoveries on how tornadoes form
The very rare and strong December tornado in Washington state comes as scientists say twisters are growing more powerful every year
Dec 19 
Wegmans pulls cauliflower rice, stir fry mixes on E. coli fears
Grocery chain sold possibly tainted products this month in produce departments at nearly 100 stores in six states
updated 23M ago 
NYC bill would let patients of abusive doctors amend birth certificates
A New York City Council Member said the bill was inspired by a woman who wants a sex offender former doctor removed from her twins' birth certificates
19H ago 
Father fights to legalize marijuana in bid to help son
"We just want a chance to prove and to show that cannabis has medical properties and cannabis can help patients and kids like Jagger"
20H ago 
U.S. women pay more, fare worse in global health study
More than one-third of American women reported skipping needed medical care because of the cost
20H ago 
GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer to create over-the-counter drug giant
The two drugmakers are merging their healthcare divisions, bringing together brands such as Sensodyne and Advil
Dec 19 
Counting on a tax refund? You may owe this year, IRS says
The tax bill signed by Donald Trump last year may create an unwelcome surprise for some taxpayers in April
updated 10M ago
Wegmans pulls cauliflower rice, stir fry mixes on E. coli fears
Grocery chain sold possibly tainted products this month in produce departments at nearly 100 stores in six states
updated 23M ago
Amazon sent 1,700 Alexa recordings to wrong customer
Man who reportedly never used the company's virtual assistant received 1,700 recordings it had made of a stranger
1H ago 
Trump's food stamp proposal: Add work requirements in some states
The administration wants to add work requirements for the SNAP program after the Farm Bill failed to include the provision
3H ago 
Marlboro maker Altria buys one third of Juul
The company behind Marlboro cigarettes makes investment that values all of vape company Juul Brands at $38 billion
2H ago 
Deputy kills family, confesses over radio before turning gun on himself
The Florida school officer killed three relatives including his granddaughter, 6, before killing himself, sheriff says
18H ago 
Redskins safety charged with assault for fight caught on video
Police say Montae Nicholson and his girlfriend were involved in an argument that escalated into a physical assault
19H ago 
Senate passes bipartisan criminal justice bill
Senate voted Tuesday night to approve a sweeping criminal justice overhaul supported by President Trump
Dec 19 
Woman in New York fights back, prevents her car from being stolen
Bronx mother Tihisha Jones gets street justice after stopping a suspected car thief in his tracks — and it was all caught on camera
Dec 18 
Man in alleged GoFundMe scam could face jail on traffic charges
Mark D'Amico, his girlfriend and a homeless veteran allegedly concocted a good Samaritan story to scam donors
Dec 18
