President Trump on Tuesday signaled that he wants to pull U.S. troops out of Syria, but said no final decision has been made.
“I want to get out. I want to bring those troops home,” Trump said at a news conference with leaders from Baltic states.
“Seven trillion dollars in the Middle East over the last 17 years, we get nothing out of it … except death and destruction. It’s a horrible thing.”
The president pointed to America’s success in combating the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terror group in the region, adding that he will consult with his advisers and foreign leaders about the American military presence in the war-torn nation.
{mosads}Trump also floated the possibility of extending the U.S. military presence there — as long as other countries, potentially including Saudi Arabia, pay for it.
“Saudi Arabia is very interested in our decision. I said, ‘Well, you want us to stay, maybe you are going to have to pay,'” Trump said.
“It’s very costly for our country and it helps other countries a hell of a lot more than it helps us.”
The comments are the latest signals from the White House that Trump wants American troops out of Syria as soon as possible. Trump also floated the prospect during last week’s speech in Ohio.
“We’re knocking the hell out of ISIS. We’ll be coming out of Syria, like, very soon,” Trump said.
“Let the other people take care of it now. Very soon, very soon we’re coming out. We’re going to have a hundred percent of the caliphate, as they call it. Sometimes referred to as land, taking it all back. Quickly, quickly.”
The Wall Street Journal reported the following day that the White House froze more than $200 million in funds the State Department had committed to the recovery in Syria.