President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw all US troops from Syria has been met with heavy criticism. Mr Trump made the announcement on Wednesday, asserting that the Islamic State (IS) group had been defeated. But major allies, including senior Republicans and foreign powers, have disputed the claim and say the move could lead to a resurgence of IS. US troops have helped rid much of Syria's north-east of the jihadist group, but pockets of fighters remain. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who is one of Mr Trump's supporters, called the withdrawal decision a "huge Obama-like mistake".
"An American withdrawal at this time would be a big win for [IS], Iran, Bashar al-Assad of Syria, and Russia," he said in a statement. Meanwhile, the UK government distanced itself from
President Trump's assertion that IS had now been defeated. A recent US report said there were still as many as 14,000 IS militants in Syria and even more in neighbouring Iraq - and there is a fear they will shift to guerrilla tactics in an attempt to rebuild their network.
President Trump's assertion that IS had now been defeated. A recent US report said there were still as many as 14,000 IS militants in Syria and even more in neighbouring Iraq - and there is a fear they will shift to guerrilla tactics in an attempt to rebuild their network.
But the partnership between the US and the Kurds has enraged neighbouring Turkey, which views the Kurdish YPG militia - the main fighting force in the SDF - as an extension of a banned Kurdish group fighting for autonomy in Turkey.
Between 25 and 35 million Kurds inhabit a mountainous region straddling the borders of Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Armenia. They make up the fourth-largest ethnic group in the Middle East, but they have never obtained a permanent nation state.
There is deep-seated hostility between the Turkish state and the country's Kurds, who constitute 15% to 20% of the population.
Kurds received harsh treatment at the hands of the Turkish authorities for generations. In response to uprisings in the 1920s and 1930s, many Kurds were resettled, Kurdish names and costumes were banned, the use of the Kurdish language was restricted, and even the existence of a Kurdish ethnic identity was denied.
Kurds make up between 7% and 10% of Syria's population. Before the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in 2011 most lived in the cities of Damascus and Aleppo, and in three, non-contiguous areas around Kobane, Afrin, and the north-eastern city of Qamishli.
Syria's Kurds have long been suppressed and denied basic rights. Some 300,000 have been denied citizenship since the 1960s.
GUYS, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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Endy Edeson
No, America is rather sympathetic to Kurdish minority in Syria and other Middle East countries
Endy Edeson
America does not like oppression , as it it is inhuman , that is one of the reasons why they are backing Kurdish minority that wants independence @Ola
Jesse Osayande Vucinic Ehiagwina
"America does not like oppression"
I would have bought that if there aren't numerous examples to prove that they're the greatest aggressors and oppression state in the world. Sorry, but that doesn't fly. They are the oppression
I would have bought that if there aren't numerous examples to prove that they're the greatest aggressors and oppression state in the world. Sorry, but that doesn't fly. They are the oppression
Anuforo Osinachi James
Synonymous to what happened and is happening in Nigeria. Shekau was killed more that two times, we've defeated boko haram, they keep re-surfacing.
Trump should calm down and use is head instead of is heart.
Trump should calm down and use is head instead of is heart.
