(CNN) US special envoy for Syria and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Jim Jeffrey said Tuesday that he was not consulted or advised in advance on President Donald Trump's decision to pull US troops from northeastern Syria. "I was not personally consulted," Jeffrey said in response to a question from Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey. Jeffrey testified in the face of unusually united bipartisan anger about Trump's decision on Syria and a push by the GOP leadership to reverse the decision. Many asked about the benefits to Russia and Iran, who now stand to wield even greater influence in Syria. Jeffrey repeatedly refuted arguments linking the withdrawal of US troops from northeastern Syria to Turkey's decision to attack the Kurds, saying it would have happened regardless.

Source: CNN October 22, 2019 22:07 UTC