Trump Says Mission Accomplished in Syria. His Allies Disagree
- European leaders were stunned by move, senior diplomat says
- Hasty U.S. withdrawal sparks fears of more fighting, refugees
A US army vehicle in eastern Syria on December 15.
Photographer: Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
President Donald Trump’s claim that Islamic State has been defeated came as a surprise to those fighting alongside the U.S. military in Syria.
In London, Paris and Berlin, leaders were “flabbergasted” as they discovered that their top partner in combating Islamic State was hastily pulling its troops out of Syria, according to a senior European diplomat.