Trump urges US to stay out of Syrian civil war, blaming Obama for failure as Islamists close in on capital

President-elect Donald Trump commented for the first time on the Syrian Islamist revolt against Bashar al-Assad, the country’s dictator who is currently in his palace in Damascus.

The radical Islamist movement has now reached the suburbs of Damascus, with preparations underway to attack Assad’s main stronghold.

Using the social media platform Truth Social, Trump issued a warning stating, “Syria is facing turmoil, however, it is not our ally, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD STAY AWAY. THIS IS NOT OUR BATTLE. LET IT UNFOLD ON ITS OWN. DO NOT INTERFERE!”

He took former President Obama to task for failing to enforce his “red line” in 2013 to launch military strikes against Assad after the Syrian strongman executed a shocking mass chemical weapons strike on civilians, in which more than 1,400 people were killed.

A Syrian opposition fighter takes a picture of a comrade stepping on a portrait of Syrian President Bashar Assad in Aleppo, early on Saturday Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)

A Syrian opposition fighter takes a picture of a comrade stepping on a portrait of Syrian President Bashar Assad in Aleppo, early on Saturday Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed) (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)

The IDF added that it has deployed “reinforced forces in the Golan Heights area and will continue to operate in order to protect the State of Israel and its citizens.”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with his Turkish counterpart on the situation in Syria. Turkey is the principal backer of the Islamist coalition seeking to topple the Assad regime. 

The U.S.-designated terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist former Al-Qaeda affiliate that is part of the rebel forces, is the key force that has secured large swaths of Syrian territory over the last few days.

U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement that “Blinken spoke today with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss developments in Syria. Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of protecting civilians, including members of minority groups, across Syria.”

An anti-government fighter covers his ears as a multi-barrel rocket launcher fires against regime forces in the northern outskirts of Syria's west-central city of Hama on December 4, 2024. Syrian government forces pressed a counterattack against Islamist-led rebels around the key city of Hama on December 4 after suffering a string of staggering losses further north, a war monitor said. 

An anti-government fighter covers his ears as a multi-barrel rocket launcher fires against regime forces in the northern outskirts of Syria’s west-central city of Hama on December 4, 2024. Syrian government forces pressed a counterattack against Islamist-led rebels around the key city of Hama on December 4 after suffering a string of staggering losses further north, a war monitor said.  (Bakr al Kassem/AFP via Getty Images)

Miller added, “The Secretary discussed the need for a political solution to the conflict, consistent with U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254. Secretary Blinken also extended his congratulations to Foreign Minister Fidan on the selection of Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu as the OSCE [Organization for Security and Co-operation] Secretary General and looks forward to continued cooperation in the region.”

The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2254 in 2015, which called for a cease-fire, UN-run elections and a new constitution. Assad rejected the resolution’s implementation. 

Aug. 31, 2013: President Obama with Vice President Biden as he makes a statement about Syria in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington.

Aug. 31, 2013: President Obama with Vice President Biden as he makes a statement about Syria in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington. (AP)

The State Department has classified Assad’s regime as a state-sponsor of terrorism. Phillip Smyth, an expert on Iranian regime proxy groups and Syria, who is with the Atlantic Council, told Fox News Digital regarding Trump’s comment, “I do not see a huge deviation from his previous policy points. He is staying the course. Realism with what is going on.”

Trump’s message to [the] Assad regime and the HTS coalition is “I wish them both luck. It is essentially that,” said Smyth. He termed Trump’s post a “statement of the reality” about the Syrian civil war.

FILE - In this Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013 citizen journalism file image provided by the United Media office of Arbeen, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, members of a chemical weapons investigation team take samples from sand near a part of a missile that is likely to be one of the chemical rockets, according to activists, in the Damascus countryside of Ain Terma, Syria. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, for working to eliminate the scourge that has haunted generations from World War I to the battlefields of Syria. (AP Photo/United Media office of Arbeen, File)

FILE – In this Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013 citizen journalism file image provided by the United Media office of Arbeen, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, members of a chemical weapons investigation team take samples from sand near a part of a missile that is likely to be one of the chemical rockets, according to activists, in the Damascus countryside of Ain Terma, Syria. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, for working to eliminate the scourge that has haunted generations from World War I to the battlefields of Syria. (AP Photo/United Media office of Arbeen, File) (The Associated Press)

When asked whether he thought Assad would use chemical weapons on the Islamist rebels, Smyth said, “It would not surprise me if he did. There is risk of it.” Smyth expects a bit more anarchy in the battle of Damascus. “You will have different factions wrestling for control.”

Given the lightening seizure of major Syrian cities such as Aleppo and Hama over the last week, Smyth said, “I think the writing is on the wall. His mobilization attempts have not been successful. There is this lackadaisical haze over the Assad regime. You can see internal corruption on full display in how they are mobilizing and acting. The rapid collapse says everything. There is a lot of paper tiger posture. There was no expectation that there would be an advance like this.”

.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like
California fires in LA: Highland Park native, Smashing Pumpkins signer Billy Corgan evacuates as Los Angeles fires rage on

Billy Corgan, the lead singer of Smashing Pumpkins and a native of Highland Park, forced to evacuate as wildfires continue in Los Angeles.

CHICAGO (WLS) — Local American Red Cross volunteers from Illinois are now…
13-year-old denied immigration, stuck in Honduras during vacation after officials say absent dad needs to sign on his return

13-year-old not allowed to enter the country, unable to leave Honduras on vacation because officials say his father, who is not present, needs to give permission for his return.

HOUSTON — A Texas mother is fighting to bring her teenage son…
Feel-Good Friday: As Fires Rage in LA, Precious People Ensure the Animals Are Not Forgotten

Positive Friday: People in LA Take Care of Animals Amidst Wildfires

Last week was incredibly tough for the residents of Los Angeles due…
Chuck Schumer Goes on Self-Important, Lie-Filled Bender Over January 6

Critique Alert: Senate Democrats Release Embarrassing Video – Get Ready to Cringe

The last election dealt a significant blow to the Democrats, with Republicans…
California fires LA: With their Los Angeles-area homes still smoldering, families return to search the ruins for memories

Cali Fires: Families Return to Search for Memories in LA after Homes Burn

LOS ANGELES — Many watched their homes burn on television in a…
Los Angeles wildfires: Firefighting plane grounded for 3 days after drone strike causes 'fist-sized hole'

Attempt to Control Los Angeles Wildfires Hampered by Drone Strike Damaging Firefighting Aircraft and Causing 72-Hour Grounding

An investigation is currently being conducted by federal authorities and California police…
Exhibit spotlights Village Voice photographer who captured historic moments of 'Pride and Protest'

Showcase focuses on Village Voice photographer who documented significant events of ‘Pride and Protest’

In New York, a Village Voice photographer named Fred W. McDarrah skillfully…
LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley 'was called in to be fired by Mayor Karen Bass'... but claims she is still in her job

Mayor Karen Bass called on LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley for a dismissal meeting, but Crowley asserts she remains in her position.

According to sources, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley is in jeopardy…
Los Angeles Is a War Zone—Just Not in the Way You Might Think

Los Angeles Is Similar to a Battlefield, but Not in the Expected Sense

As a long-term resident here in the formerly great city of Los…
Altadena family of 4 stays brave in face of devastating wildfire loss: 'Stuff that I love is gone'

A family of four in Altadena remains strong despite losing everything in a destructive wildfire: ‘My cherished belongings are no more’

Deisy-Suarez Giles and her family faced the heartbreak of losing their home…
Spencer Pratt plans to SUE State of California after house burns down as LA mayor Karen Bass faces fierce criticism

Spencer Pratt to Sue California Over House Fire as LA Mayor Karen Bass Receives Backlash

Spencer Pratt reveals plans to sue the State of California after his home…
Trash tycoon reveals how 'miracle' Malibu house survived wildfires when everyone else's burned

Garbage king explains how ‘miracle’ Malibu home survived wildfires when all others were destroyed

In a scene that could have been plucked from a disaster movie,…