Trump signals intent to withdraw US troops from Syria, says Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
US soldiers inspect the site of reported Turkish shelling days earlier on an oil extraction facility on October 28, 2024. (AFP Photo)
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump plans to withdraw American troops from northern Syria, expressing concerns about their safety if tensions in the region escalate, according to political ally Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy, who endorsed Trump in the recent presidential election, revealed details of the discussion during an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson, highlighting Trump’s strategic concerns over the U.S. military presence in Syria.
Troops at risk of becoming ‘cannon fodder’
Kennedy shared that Trump recently reviewed the troop deployments in the Middle East, focusing specifically on the border between Syria and Türkiye.
According to Kennedy, Trump pointed out the disparity in military strength between U.S. forces and local combatants, describing the risk faced by American troops.
“When I was with President Trump, he took a map of the Middle East and noted the troop strengths in each country,” Kennedy said. “He highlighted the 500 U.S. troops on the border of Syria and Türkiye, surrounded by hundreds of thousands of local forces.”
Kennedy further explained that Trump asked his generals about the potential outcome if a conflict were to erupt in the area. The generals reportedly warned that U.S. troops could end up as “cannon fodder,” leading Trump to respond decisively, “Get them out.”
Strategic shift in US Middle East policy
The interview might signal an upcoming potential shift in U.S. strategy in the Middle East, with Trump looking to reduce American involvement in regional conflicts.
