U.S. Defense Secretary Esper: U.S. "Preparing To Evacuate" Remaining Troops From Northern Syria

WATCH: .@EsperDoD on the planned evacuation of U.S. troopers in northern Syria.
"I spoke with the president last night after discussions with the rest national security team and he directed that we begin a deliberate withdrawal of forces from northern Syria." pic.twitter.com/2Ma0XmypfP

— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) October 13, 2019

CBS: U.S. "preparing to evacuate" remaining troops from northern Syria, defense secretary says

The U.S. is "preparing to evacuate" about 1,000 U.S. troops from northern Syria "as safely and quickly as possible," Defense Secretary Mark Esper told "Face the Nation" in an interview Sunday.

The move comes a week after President Trump announced the repositioning of several dozen American troops embedded with Kurdish forces in northern Syria, opening the door for a Turkish offensive against the Syrian Defense Forces (SDF), the main U.S. allies in the fight against ISIS.

"In the last 24 hours, we learned that [the Turks] likely intend to extend their attack further south than originally planned, and to the west," Esper said. "We also have learned in the last 24 hours that the ... SDF are looking to cut a deal, if you will, with the Syrians and the Russians to counterattack against the Turks in the north."

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WNU Editor: U.S. troops have also been authorized to fire back if fired upon .... US Troops Can Fire Back If Turkey Attacks Positions Again, Pentagon Says (Zero Hedge).

More News On U.S. "Preparing To Evacuate" Remaining Troops From Northern Syria

Esper says Trump orders US troops to leave northern Syria -- AP
U.S. set to pull remaining troops from north Syria after Turkish incursion -- Reuters
Trump tells Pentagon to begin withdrawing remaining troops from northern Syria -- Reuters
Esper confirms Trump ordered larger withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria -- The Hill
U.S. withdrawing last troops from northern Syria -- Politico
U.S. troops withdraw from another Syrian town as Turkish forces cut off supply lines -- The Washington Post
Esper says U.S. staying in Syria, but withdrawing south of Turkish advance and deal in works to have Russians protect Kurds -- Military Times
Esper: Turkey 'appears to be' committing war crimes in northern Syria -- The Hill
Esper criticises Turkey's offensive in Syria as 'impulsive' -- Al Jazeera