Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed the same stance on the issue saying that “it is critical not to allow a vacuum of power to replace the American troops in Syria once they withdraw.”
During his visit to the US, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Ankar has warned Pentagon officials against a vacuum of power in Syria during the American troops withdrawal from the country, Turkish Anadolu news agency reported.
The news came amid reports of the US plans to leave roughly 400 troops in Syria beyond the pullout targeted for the spring. About 200 troops will be located in northeastern Syria in addition to another 200 personnel near the Jordanian border, The Washington Post reported on Friday citing a senior official. Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. John Dunford told reporters that allies will step up in Syria after Washington withdraws its military contingent.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders in an earlier statement said that the United States would leave a small peacekeeping group of about 200 personnel in Syria “for a period of time.”