US defense secretary to retire by end of February

Announcement by Trump comes a day after he declares withdrawal of US troops from Syria

By Umar Farooq

WASHINGTON (AA) - U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis will be stepping down from his position by the end of February, President Donald Trump said Thursday.

"General Jim Mattis will be retiring, with distinction, at the end of February, after having served my Administration as Secretary of Defense for the past two years. During Jim’s tenure, tremendous progress has been made," Trump said on Twitter.

The announcement comes a day after the president announced the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria.

Mattis also served as the 11th commander of the United States Central Command under President Barack Obama.

"General Mattis was a great help to me in getting allies and other countries to pay their share of military obligations," Trump added.

Trump has yet to name Mattis' replacement.

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