U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, in a statement released earlier today, addressed the situation in Syria, noting that opposition fighters, in an unprecedented and coordinated offensive, have captured several key Syrian cities and are now on the outskirts of Damascus. He added that these forces appear to be preparing for a significant move against Bashar al-Assad’s government.
Trump stated: “Russia, which has faced serious difficulties after losing 600,000 soldiers in Ukraine, seems unable to prevent this advance in Syria. Having supported Syria for years, Russia is now in retreat. The same situation applies to Bashar al-Assad, and perhaps this is Russia’s best opportunity. In reality, Russia had no significant interests in Syria other than making former President Barack Obama appear weak.”
Criticizing U.S. policy, Trump emphasized: “The United States should have nothing to do with the Syrian war. This is not our war. Let the situation play out on its own and do not intervene!”
Trump’s remarks come at a time when Syrian opposition forces have made significant advances, while Russia, under pressure from the war in Ukraine, finds itself in a difficult position.
