During the Security Conference that has just taken place in Munich, the US Secretary of Defence, Patrick Shanahan, brought together his principal allies (which included Iraq and Turkey) and asked them to take over from the US in Syria as the US gets ready to pull out.

Declaring that Damascus’s taking back control of the territory would not guarantee stability, the US Secretary of Defense requested that 1,500 men remain in North East Syria.

In any event, those present have questioned the utility in embarking on a mission probably condemned to failure following the US departure. The French delegation has rejected the US request. The British have requested a time out for reflection.

Translation
Anoosha Boralessa