Thread: Trump: Expect Decision On US Role In Syria Soon; Calls Russian Plane Downing "Very S

Trump: Expect Decision On US Role In Syria Soon; Calls Russian Plane Downing "Very Sad Thing"



“We’re very close to being finished with that job” - Trump

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Tue, 09/18/2018 - 23:45

President Trump indicated that a decision on the future of US policy in Syria is coming soon in remarks made at a press conference with his Polish counterpart.
Speaking alongside President Andrzej Duda, Trump said the Monday night downing of a Russian maritime surveillance plane by accidental Syrian friendly fire was "a very sad thing". Trump's remarks did not include criticism of Putin, and seemed to signal regret over Monday night's dramatic escalation over Syria after a massive Israeli attack.
Earlier in the day Tuesday, Russia had pointed the finger at Israel for purposefully provoking the mishap, something Israel has since denied in a military statement that ultimately put blame on Assad, Iran, and Hezbollah.




Trump also said that the US fight against ISIS in Syria could end soon: “We’re very close to being finished with that job,” he said of the Pentagon mission against ISIS.
He followed with: “And then we’re going to make a determination as to what we’re going to do.”
This follows a major Washington Post story two weeks ago, quoting administration insiders, that described a significant policy shift away from Trump's previously voiced desire to "bring to the troops home" from Syria.
Only months ago the president expressed a desire "to get out" and pull the over 2,000 publicly acknowledged American military personnel from the country; but the new report said that Trump has approved "an indefinite military and diplomatic effort in Syria".
The report revealed that "the administration has redefined its goals to include the exit of all Iranian military and proxy forces from Syria, and establishment of a stable, nonthreatening government acceptable to all Syrians and the international community."
But is it possible that Monday's attack involving missiles flying over the Mediterranean and an "accidental" downing of a Russian plane and 15 dead Russian crew members might have jolted Trump back to his prior position of wanting to withdraw from the Syrian quagmire?
Monday's events also came just after Russian President Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that a demilitarized zone in Idlib will be formed by October 15. As part of the deal Russia and Syria have reportedly called off the major offensive on Idlib, as Turkey has vowed to facilitate the withdrawal of the al-Qaeda groups in control of Idlib to Jisr al-Shughour near the Turkish border.
The Russia-Turkey deal over Idlib has at least temporarily deflated US threats that it could intervene should Syria launch a brutal assault on the province —something the US promised to do especially if chemical weapons are used.
Is it possible that Trump will take the window of opportunity to get out of Syria, and walk back from prior US threats?

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-...wning-very-sad

Trump: 'Seems' like Syria shot down a Russian plane

US President says Syria likely shot down a Russian military plane near its coast.
Elad Benari, Canada, 18/09/18 22:47

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Syria likely shot down a Russian military plane near its coast.

“It sounds to me and it seems to me based on a review of the facts that Syria shot down a Russian plane. And I understand about 14 people were killed and that’s a very sad thing but that’s what happens,” Trump said at a joint press conference at the White House with Polish President Andrzej Duda, as quoted by Reuters.

“We have done a tremendous job in Syria and in that region eradicating ISIS, which is why we are there. And we are very close to finishing that job,” he added.

The Russian Defense Ministry earlier on Tuesday blamed Israel for the downing of an Ilyushin IL-20 turboprop reconnaissance over Syria.

The IDF denied Russia’s claims, saying Syrian anti-air missiles fired after an Israeli airstrike in northern Syria struck the Russian plane, destroying it.

Russian President Vladimir Putin later said that the downing of the aircraft was the result of a “chain of tragic circumstances”.

While Putin never directly attributed the downing of the aircraft to the Israel Air Force, ABC News reported that he backed a statement issued by Russia’s Defense Ministry blaming Israel.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu subsequently spoke on the phone with Putin and expressed regret for the death of the crew members of the plane.

Netanyahu told Putin Syria was responsible for shooting down the Russian aircraft.

The Prime Minister noted the importance of continued security coordination between Israel and Russia, which has succeeded in preventing many losses on both sides.

Netanyahu stressed to the Russian President that Israel is ready to provide Russia with all the details of the investigation of the incident. Netanyahu proposed to send the commander of the Israeli Air Force to Moscow with all the relevant information.

(Arutz Sheva’s North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Yom Kippur in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/252179

Get us out of Syrian and send all their refugees BACK!

No more refugees from anywhere!

No taxpayer dollars to rebuild these countries!

They just blow the stuff right back up again!