Skirmish with Russians highlights unacceptable risks of U.S. presence in Syria

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 26, 2020
Contact: press@defensepriorities.org

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Politico reported that U.S. troops in Syria sustained injuries following a skirmish with Russian forces. Defense Priorities Senior Fellow Gil Barndollar issued the following statement in response:

“This incident underscores the dangers continually confronting U.S. troops in Syria, who are armed bystanders in the midst of a civil war. Playing bumper cars with Russians in the Levant serves no vital U.S. national interest. As in numerous past incidents, America was lucky not to lose a soldier in a wholly unnecessary confrontation.

U.S. troops, together with their Syrian partners and NATO allies, destroyed the Islamic State’s last stronghold in Syria nearly 18 months ago. Neither counter-terrorism raids nor confiscating Syrian oil is a valid reason to maintain this mission. There is no remaining strategic or legal rationale for U.S. forces to remain in Syria. They are long overdue to come home.”

Author

Gil
Barndollar

Non-Resident Fellow

Defense Priorities