A ceasefire between Turkey and the U.S.-backed Kurdish Syrian forces (SDF) around the northern Syrian city of Manbij has been extended until the end of this week, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday.
From: Reuters December 17, 2024
US Troops in eastern Syria: Washington has kept an estimated 900 troops in eastern Syria as a hedge against the militants.
Asked what he will do with those troops, Trump was vague, pointing instead to the strength of Turkey's military and highlighting his relationship with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.
Washington and Ankara: Since Assad's ouster, Washington and Ankara have held talks on countering any resurgence of Islamic State militants in Syria.
Trump and Erdogan: "Erdogan is somebody I got along with great ... He's built a very strong, powerful army," Trump said.
