Yetkin Report

  • Türkçe
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Life
  • Writers
  • Archive
  • Contact

The US Military once again defies Trump on Syria

by Murat Yetkin / 21 December 2024, Saturday / Published in Politics

The Pentagon is pushing back against Donald Trump, who is set to take office on January 20th, after he questioned America’s presence in Syria.

The US Military once again defies Trump on Syria. The Pentagon is pushing back against Donald Trump, who is set to take office on January 20th, after he questioned America’s presence in Syria. In response to Trump’s statement “we have nothing to do (in Syria)” Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder revealed that U.S. troop numbers in Syria have reached 2,000 – more than double the previously reported 900. These troops remain actively deployed with no plans for withdrawal.

This announcement should be considered alongside the rather unconvincing statement made to Reuters by SDF leader Mazlum “Kobani” Abdi Shahin about “PKK members returning to Iraq.” Perhaps the U.S. is laying groundwork to claim the SDF is now PKK-free – conveniently forgetting that they themselves helped the PKK establish the SDF.

Troop numbers: 2,000

What’s particularly striking about this announcement – one that has raised concerns in Ankara – is the Pentagon spokesman’s curious choice of words at the December 19 press briefing, suggesting they had just “learned” of the increase.

This Pentagon disclosure followed shortly after Trump cited official figures of 900 troops. It appears that after Trump deftly shifted journalists’ questions about Syrian withdrawal to focus on Turkish influence in the region, the Pentagon felt compelled to issue an “update.” They revealed that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in Qatar had elevated troop levels to 2,000 without prior notification.

CENTCOM operates as a formidable force based in Qatar, overseeing a vast 4-million-square-kilometer region spanning 21 countries from Egypt to Kazakhstan and Pakistan – essentially controlling the world’s most crucial energy production and transportation corridors. Just as the Pentagon functions as a quasi-state within the U.S. government, CENTCOM operates as an autonomous force within the military, wielding influence across the Middle East reminiscent of medieval feudal lords. Their power stems significantly from weapons industry and energy lobby interests.

The SDF partnership and Syrian oil

It’s CENTCOM that has been cooperating with the SDF, whose backbone has been the PKK’s Syrian branch PYD/YPG for the last 10 years, as infantry force against ISIS, while also maintaining control over Syria’s oil regions and getting their operation for free.

This dynamic was clearly demonstrated during Trump’s first term. When Trump campaigned on withdrawing from Syria, both CENTCOM and the Pentagon mounted opposition. Ultimately, CENTCOM’s position prevailed over the President’s, and the American military presence in Syria actually doubled from roughly 400 to 800-900 troops. Now we learn that this number has quietly reached 2,000 – all before Assad’s anticipated fall.

Trump’s apparent attempt to incite Turkey serves a purpose. One must consider the possibility of a scenario where Türkiye could be held accountable not only for its actual actions in Syria but also for matters beyond its control. If the situation deteriorates – particularly if HTS’s claims of reform prove hollow and violence resurges – Ankara might find itself bearing the blame.

Yeni yazılardan haberdar olun! Lütfen aboneliğinizi güncelleyin.

İstenmeyen posta göndermiyoruz! Daha fazla bilgi için gizlilik politikamızı okuyun.

Aboneliğinizi onaylamak için gelen veya istenmeyen posta kutunuzu kontrol edin.

What you can read next

President Erdoğan loses Istanbul as opposition candidate wins landslide victory
While the US applauds Israel’s massacres, China unites Palestine
Can Ankara convince Hamas to a ceasefire and disarmament?
  • After İmamoğlu, Turkish opposition leader Özel faces prison threat, too3 July 2025
  • Overcoming semantics in Cyprus, establishing functionality3 July 2025
  • Can Ankara convince Hamas to a ceasefire and disarmament?1 July 2025
  • Erdogan with Trump after five years: why can they get along better now?26 June 2025
  • The Story of Iranian Women: The Resistance Never Stopped26 June 2025
  • Why did Türkiye not condemn the U.S. strike on Iran? What is going on?23 June 2025
  • What the U.S. strike on Iran might unleash — from the Gulf to Ankara23 June 2025
  • Turkish Defense Ministry on high alert against migration risk from Iran18 June 2025
  • Five Lessons from Israel’s strike on Iran, one is about Türkiye14 June 2025
  • Ankara watched Israel’s Iran attack: 200 jets in 6 waves, local support13 June 2025
Search the news archive...

Politics

Economy

Life

Writers

Archive

Türkçe

About

Impressum

FAQ

Advertising

Contact

Made with ♥ by tbtcreative.com © 2022 yetkinreport.com All rights reserved.

Yetkin Report     ·      Help     ·      User Agreement     ·      Legal

TOP