Despite US alleged staying in al-Tanf base, Russia demands US to leave

Russia demands from US to pull out its troops from al-Tanf base located southeast of Syria despite all the US' statements to stay there currently.

31 January, 2019 09:26

NEWS DESK

On Thursday, during press conference, the official spokeswoman of Russian Foreign Minister Maria Sakharova said that" US should pull out its troops from al-Tanf base as soon as possible and hand them over to the Syrian regime, according to Sputnik.

US National Security Adviser John Bolton said in a statement at the beginning of January "his country's forces in Syria will not leave al-Tanf base at this stage."

Other sources said that John Bolton had planned during his visit to Israel to discuss the possibility of retaining some troops at al-Tanf base in southern Syria, as it plays an important role to diminish Iranian influence in the region.

US troops had established al-Tanf base in 2014, including about 2,000 American soldiers which mission is to train Syrian Democratic Forces fighters to confront IS gangs.

Al-Tanf base is a vital element in efforts to prevent Iran from building a land bridge that links to southern Lebanon, which helps prevent Iran from establishing the Shiite crescent that threatens Israel.

(T/S)

ANHA