Trump Declares ‘Big Success’ In Syria, Draws Criticism For Ending Sanctions Against Turkey

President Donald Trump declared victory in Syria on Wednesday by announcing he would remove sanctions against Turkey after the country’s officials agreed to permanently stop their military operation against Kurdish fighters in the region.

“Big success on the Turkey/Syria Border. Safe Zone created!” Trump tweeted Wednesday morning. “Ceasefire ha held and combat missions have ended. Kurds are safe and have worked very nicely with us,” he added before claiming captured ISIS prisoners were “secured.”

Big success on the Turkey/Syria Border. Safe Zone created! Ceasefire has held and combat missions have ended. Kurds are safe and have worked very nicely with us. Captured ISIS prisoners secured. I will be making a statement at 11:00 A.M. from the White House. Thank you!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 23, 2019

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Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Turkey drew severe bipartisan rebuke, including from special Syria envoy James Jeffrey, who said Turkish military officials possibly committed war crimes in its operation against the Kurds.

Over 100 #ISIS prisoners escaped and we do not know where they are, says Trumps Special envoy for #Syria James Jeffrey. pic.twitter.com/nCNWSIGbf3

— Abdullah Bozkurt (@abdbozkurt) October 24, 2019

Many critics of the move also pointed out that Russia has been seizing land in Syria since the White House’s decision to withdraw American troops and thus abandon the Kurds, a key U.S. ally in the fight against ISIS.

In an astounding capitualtion, Trump announces that he has lifted sanctions on Turkey despite their invasion of Syria, essentially rewarding Turkish President Erdogan for killing the Kurds.pic.twitter.com/DQzMk1SkGQ

— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) October 23, 2019

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) disputed Trump’s claim that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to end the strike against Kurdish forces, while Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) bemoaned Trump’s decision to not impose a harsher punishment on Turkey.

Erdogan has NOT agreed to stop all military operations in #Syria #Russia is going to:
-Remove Kurdish forces from east & west of current Turk controlled areas,including Kurdish cities
-Help #Turkey push all SDF forces 30km south from entire border
-Take control of 5 oil fields

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) October 23, 2019

It’s unthinkable that Turkey would not suffer consequences for malevolent behavior which was contrary to the interests of the United States and our friends.

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) October 23, 2019

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