US President-elect Donald Trump has called for the United States to stay out of the ongoing Syrian civil war, which has seen a dramatic rebel push into the capital, Damascus, potentially ending the rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
In a social media post, Trump declared, “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” as the conflict escalates and rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, advanced rapidly through Syria, capturing key cities and making their way toward Damascus.
Trump’s comments came as the Biden administration signaled that the U.S. would refrain from military intervention in the conflict.
Jake Sullivan, President Biden’s national security adviser, emphasized that the United States would not “militarily dive into the middle of a Syrian civil war,” though he noted the U.S. would continue efforts to prevent extremist groups like the Islamic State from exploiting the situation.
The Syrian civil war, which has been raging for 13 years, has already claimed the lives of over half a million people and drawn in multiple foreign powers, including Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah.
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The insurgent groups, despite being designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S., have made significant gains in recent days, with minimal resistance from Assad’s military or the Russian and Iranian forces that support him.
Trump criticized the U.S.’s previous involvement in Syria, stating that it was a mistake for the country to get entangled in the conflict. “Syria is a mess, but is not our friend,” Trump wrote.
“THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!”
He also commented on Russia’s involvement, suggesting that Moscow is too preoccupied with the war in Ukraine to stop the rebel forces from advancing.
Trump indicated that the ousting of Assad, who has been supported by Russia and Iran, might ultimately benefit the region.
As world leaders continue to watch the situation unfold, Trump’s stance is a reflection of his broader policy of non-intervention in foreign conflicts.