LoniJohnson
The US military representative discussed with Kurdish government officials in Qamishli city on November 2 about the possibility of redeploying the force here.
"The Americans want to return to Qamishli. They will deploy a large outpost in the city," said a participant in the meeting between the US representative and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This is the second visit by the US military representative after it announced its withdrawal from northeastern Syria.
US troops sitting in armored vehicles stopped outside the Syrian city of Qamishli on November 2 Photo: AFP.
The US withdrawal announcement paved the way for Turkey to launch a military campaign on October 9-22, targeting the SDF, with the core of the Kurdish People's Protection Unit (YPG) considered by the country to be a terrorist. father. The Kurdish government agreed to allow the Syrian army (SAA) to enter their controlled area to fill the void left by the US military.
The US anti-IS coalition representative declined to comment specifically on the visit and said he would continue withdrawing troops from northern Syria. US troops will be redeployed in eastern Syria to protect oil fields and prevent IS rebels from retaking them.
A US military convoy patrols on October 31 in the town of Qahtaniyah, near the Turkish-Syrian border, where they had been operating before announcing a withdrawal. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the US still maintains a base near the town of Rmeilan, in northeastern Syria.
The US has deployed about 10 M2A2 Bradley armored vehicles and several dozen soldiers of the 30th National Guard Brigade of National Guard to Deir ez-Zor province, Syria to protect oil fields. Defense Minister Mark Esper said oil revenues would be provided to the SDF so that it could maintain its strength and manage the IS prisoners.
Location of Qamishli city (red marker), Syria Photo: Google
US President Donald Trump at a November 1 news conference at the White House said the country deployed troops in Syria to protect oil fields. "We will step back and hold the oil fields. Others can patrol the Syrian border, let Turkey do this. They have fought for 1,000 years," Trump said.
Oil and gas production facilities in eastern Syria are controversial when the US threatens to attack all forces seeking access, including Russian and Syrian troops. The Russian Defense Ministry called the US occupation and control of Syrian oil fields "a state-level robbery".
Location of Qamishli city (red marker), Syria. Graphics: Google.
