France criticizes America’s decision to withdraw from Syria

SANAA, Dec. 24 (YPA) –  French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday criticized US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw his troops from Syria, stressing that “the ally must be confident.”

In a sign of the growing diplomatic rift between the two leaders, Macron said he “deeply regretted” Trump’s decision to withdraw from Syria.

“Being an ally means fighting shoulder to shoulder,” Macron said during a press conference with his Chadian counterpart in N’Djamena. “This is what France did in its fight against Chad against the armed groups,” he said.

Last week, Trump ordered the withdrawal of US troops deployed in Syria, claiming that the Da’ash group had been defeated and the withdrawal of nearly half of the US troops deployed in Afghanistan.

For its part, France announced that it is continuing to participate in the coalition operations against the organization of the Islamic state in Syria.

The withdrawal of US forces from Syria would make thousands of Kurdish fighters in the north trained and armed by the Pentagon vulnerable to a Turkish attack.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip has threatened to launch an imminent military operation against Kurdish fighters who fought the organization in northern Syria, asserting his intention to “get rid” of them if the Americans are not forced to withdraw.