Congressman Sires’ Statement on the Withdrawal of U.S. Forces from Northern Syria Positions

(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Sires made the following statement in response to the Administration’s announcement that the United States will withdraw from positions in Northern Syria ahead of an anticipated Turkish incursion into the area:

“The President’s decision to withdraw U.S. forces from positions along the northern Syria- Turkey border abandons our Kurdish partners, jeopardizes our credibility with allies, and risks creating the conditions for a resurgent presence of the Islamic State. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have been an integral partner in the fight against ISIS in Syria. This sudden shift in policy, without careful consideration of its implications, is not only a disservice to our efforts to combat terrorism but also sends a message to our allies that the U.S. is not a reliable security partner.”