US wants to protect YPG/PKK, says Trump
'I don't want to be in Syria forever,' says Trump
By Umar Farooq
WASHINGTON
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the U.S. wants to protect the YPG/PKK terrorist group, but rejected the presence of American troops in northern Syria "forever."
Speaking to reporters at a cabinet meeting, Trump took issue with alleged oil sales to Iran being carried out by U.S.
"The Kurds, our partners, are selling oil to Iran," Trump said about the YPG, the Syrian affiliate of the PKK terrorist group which has waged a more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, killing 40,000 people.
Trump said the U.S. was "not thrilled" of the oil sales.
"We want to protect the Kurds nevertheless," Trump added. "But I don't want to be in Syria forever. It's sand and it's death."
Last month Trump made the unexpected decision to withdraw 2,000 U.S. troops from Syria, sparking criticism from many allies and security aides, including his own cabinet.
After the announcement, Secretary of Defense James Mattis sent in his resignation letter.
The president went on to refute reports that he had given a
Earlier this week, Trump appeared to back off on his original comments calling for a rapid and speedy pullout from Syria.
"We're slowly sending our troops back home to be with their families, while at the same