Netanyahu, Trump discuss US withdrawal from Syria

By Mustafa Deveci

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and American President Donald Trump spoke over the phone and discussed the U.S. forces’ withdrawal from Syria, a statement said on Thursday.

According to the statement issued by Israeli Prime Minister's Office, Trump and Netanyahu also exchanged views on increasing cooperation between the U.S. and Israel in their efforts against Iranian “aggression”.

The statement did not provide details about the content of the phone conversation.

On Wednesday, Netanyahu had said Washington informed him before announcing the U.S. forces’ pullout from Syria.

Trump ordered all of the U.S.'s forces in Syria to withdraw from the country on Wednesday, saying Daesh's defeat was his sole reason for being in the war-torn country.

The U.S. began its air campaign in Syria in 2014, deploying troops to the country to assist in the anti-Daesh fight alongside local partners the year after.

Reports have suggested all State Department personnel would depart Syria within the next 24 hours, while U.S. forces will leave within 60 to 100 days.

The withdrawal comes on the eve of a possible Turkish military operation in northeastern Syria against the YPG/PKK terrorist group.

Since 2016, Ankara has carried out two similar military operations in northern Syria.