UK warns against ‘unilateral action’ in Syria after Trump announces US troop pull-out to help Turkey

Britain warned ‘unilateral action’ in Syria could scupper attempts to destroy Islamic State today after Donald Trump revealed the US was pulling out and abandoning its Kurdish allies.

After a call between the American leader and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the White House said Ankara would ‘soon be moving forward with its long-planned operation into Northern Syria’ – and that US forces would ‘no longer be in the immediate area.’ 

The move has led to widespread condemnation among even Mr Trump’s long-term supporters, who said it was ‘a stain on America’s honor’ to leave the Kurds at the mercy of Mr Erdogan’s hardline nationalist regime. 

The minority group claims territory in northern Syria and south east Turkey and has been involved in a long-running violent conflict with the well-armed Turks.

The Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman today said: ‘Our priority remains to secure the lasting defeat of Daesh (IS). 

‘We would be concerned by any unilateral action that could threaten the progress we have made towards this aim.’

Mr Trump later tweeted that he would ‘obliterate the economy of Turkey’ if it did anything he considered ‘off limits’.

Donald Trump announced a US troop pull-out today that stunned politicians in the US and around the world

US troops are pulling back from towns on the Turkish border ahead of an invasion by Ankara into Kurdish strongholds

US troops are pulling back from towns on the Turkish border ahead of an invasion by Ankara into Kurdish strongholds

Britain joined the US and France in launching airstrikes on Syria in April 2018 following a chemical attack on civilians in Douma, and has been providing special forces and logistical support to rebel groups battling Islamic State. 

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry MP, accused Mr Trump of a ‘stitch up’, branding it an ‘utter disgrace’ and demanding the UK stand up for the ethnic group.

‘The Kurdish people have fought harder than anyone else in Syria to end the territorial grip that ISIS had established in Northern Syria, and they have paid a heavy price,’ she said.

‘Today’s announcement from the White House is not just an abandonment of their allies, but a betrayal of their sacrifice. 

South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Trump's closest allies in Congress, blasted him: 'The biggest lie being told by the administration [is] that ISIS is defeated

South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Trump’s closest allies in Congress, blasted him: ‘The biggest lie being told by the administration [is] that ISIS is defeated

Influential Republicans including staunch allies of Mr Trump in Congress angrily criticised him for pulling back US troops from key areas of northern Syria.

Senator Lindsey Graham said he will call on Congress to reverse the sudden decision to withdraw American forces from positions along or near Turkey’s border with Syria, essentially greenlighting Ankara’s long-threatened move against the Kurds and raising fears of a jihadist comeback.

Graham, chairman of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee and one of Trump’s most outspoken supporters, described the move as ‘a disaster in the making.’

He said it would be ‘a stain on America’s honor for abandoning the Kurds,’ who were Washington’s main ally in the years-old battle against Islamic State.

‘Also, if this plan goes forward will introduce Senate resolution opposing and asking for reversal of this decision. Expect it will receive strong bipartisan support,’ the senator tweeted.

Democrats also hammered the president. Senator Bernie Sanders, who seeks the Democratic 2020 presidential nomination, tweeted that while he supports ending US military intervention in the Middle East, Trump’s ‘extremely irresponsible’ announcement is ‘likely to result in more suffering and instability.’

South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Trump's closest allies in Congress, tweeted that the president's move 'will be a stain on America's honor' and 'is a disaster in the making'

South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Trump’s closest allies in Congress, tweeted that the president’s move ‘will be a stain on America’s honor’ and ‘is a disaster in the making’

Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state Trump defeated in 2016, accused the president of committing ‘a sickening betrayal both of the Kurds and his oath of office.’

After a call between Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the White House said Ankara would ‘soon be moving forward with its long-planned operation into Northern Syria’ – and that US forces would ‘no longer be in the immediate area.’

The announcement stunned and angered several Republicans.

‘Withdrawing US forces from Northern Syria is a catastrophic mistake that puts our gains against ISIS at risk and threatens US security,’ tweeted Liz Cheney, the number three House Republican.

Senator Mitt Romney called the withdrawal ‘a betrayal’ that facilitates a jihadist resurgence.

Trump took to Twitter to defend the withdrawal, saying the region would have to ‘figure the situation out.’

‘The Kurds fought with us, but were paid massive amounts of money and equipment to do so,’ he said.

‘They have been fighting Turkey for decades. I held off this fight for almost 3 years but it is time for us to get out of these ridiculous Endless Wars, many of them tribal, and bring our soldiers home.’

The strident objections included a slap by Trump’s former UN envoy Nikki Haley, a Republican seen by some as a potential post-Trump presidential candidate.

‘We must always have the backs of our allies, if we expect them to have our back,’ Haley said, calling the Kurds ‘instrumental’ in the US fight against ISIS.

‘Leaving them to die is a big mistake.’ 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk