Statement on Withdrawal of American Troops in Syria

Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement following President Trump's announcement that he will withdraw American forces from Syria:

"I am profoundly concerned by President Trump's abrupt announcement of a withdrawal of all American forces from Syria—it is premature and leaves our objectives in the region dangerously incomplete.

"A successful mission in Syria, as outlined by the President's own Administration and military leaders, means the enduring defeat of ISIS, a political solution to the civil war, and the exit of Iranian forces and affiliated proxy militias from Syria.

"Instead, American withdrawal will create a vacuum that will allow ISIS to regroup and strengthen, while opening the path for greater Russian and Turkish influence. It will leave our allies, especially the Syrian Democratic Forces who helped us put down ISIS, without support, and make it significantly harder to foster the conditions for a political resolution of the war. And without an American presence, Iran is more likely to achieve a land bridge to the Mediterranean, and continue its deadly support for terrorist proxy groups that threaten our key regional allies, in particular Israel,

"We all share the desire to fully defeat ISIS, end the civil war in Syria, and thwart Iran's nefarious influence. Unfortunately, the President's approach will more likely push each of these objectives further out of reach."