The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said in a statement that a premature U.S. pullout would have dangerous repercussions and a destabilizing effect on the entire region. “The war against terrorism has not ended and (the Islamic State group) has not been defeated,” the statement said, adding that the fight against IS was at a “decisive” stage that requires even more support from the U.S.-led coalition. With U.S. air support, the Kurds drove IS from much of northern and eastern Syria in a costly four-year campaign. In northeastern Syria, Kurdish fighters have been digging trenches and defensive tunnels, preparing for the threatened offensive. The threat from Turkey could drive the Kurds into the arms of Syrian President Bashar Assad, and by extension Iran and Russia.

Source: Huffington Post December 20, 2018 12:22 UTC