ALBAWABA – U.S. President-elect Donald Trump underscored Turkey's strategic importance in discussions about the withdrawal of American troops from Syria during a press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
Speaking on foreign policy, Trump referred to his record during his previous presidency, emphasizing his efforts to avoid wars and his decision to defeat ISIS in Syria while withdrawing a significant portion of U.S. forces from the region.
When asked if he intends to pull out the remaining 2,000 U.S. troops currently stationed in Syria, Trump declined to provide specific details, stating, "I won’t disclose that because it’s part of a military strategy. However, I can say this—this is closely related to Turkey."
Trump stressed Ankara's key role in handling issues related to Syria, adding, "President Erdoğan is my friend and someone I respect. I believe he respects me as well."
His remarks reflect a continuation of his administration's previous stance that prioritized cooperation with Turkey, a NATO ally, in managing regional security challenges.
