I’ve Done More Damage to ISIS Than Other US Presidents: Trump
US President Donald Trump had claimed victory over ISIS and announced his decision to withdraw troops from Syria.
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US President Donald Trump on Friday, 21 December, said that he has done more damage to the terror group Islamic State (ISIS) than all his recent predecessors.
"I've done more damage to ISIS than all recent presidents.... not even close!" Trump tweeted a day after he announced that he has asked the Pentagon to start withdrawing troops from Syria.
Claiming that the extremist group (IS) had been beaten in Syria, Trump stunned officials and allies on Wednesday, 19 December, with his announcement of his decision to withdraw 2,000 US troops from the war-torn nation.
Trump said that he has taken the decision because he has achieved his mission to defeat the IS in Syria.
"Does the USA want to be the Policeman of the Middle East, getting NOTHING but spending precious lives and trillions of dollars protecting others who, in almost all cases, do not appreciate what we are doing? Do we want to be there forever? Time for others to finally fight," Trump said.
He added that, "Russia, Iran, Syria & many others are not happy about the US leaving, despite what the Fake News says, because now they will have to fight ISIS and others, who they hate, without us. I am building by far the most powerful military in the world. ISIS hits us they are doomed!"
The US president's decision attracted widespread criticism from the lawmakers, think-tank community and experts.
US Defence Secretary James Mattis resigned on Thursday, 20 December, with the differences he has with Trump over withdrawal of troops from Syria being a key reason for his departure.
After Syria, Trump has decided to pull around 7,000 US troops from Afghanistan also.
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