US military US military to maintain open-ended presence in Syria, Tillerson says US secretary of state says forces will remain in country in push against Isis, Bashar al-Assad and Iranian influence Play Video 1:14 Tillerson: US military to maintain open-ended presence in Syria – videoThe US intends to maintain an open-ended military presence in Syria, not only to fight Isis and al-Qaida but also to provide a bulwark against Iranian influence, ensure the departure of the Assad regime and create conditions for the return of refugees, the secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, said on Wednesday. Tillerson’s speech suggested that as Russia drew down its military presence, the US would expand its own. In this speech, Tillerson signalled the US would insist on Assad’s departure. “US disengagement from Syria would provide Iran the opportunity to further strengthen its position in Syria,” Tillerson said. “It will be impossible to ensure stability on one end of the Mediterranean, in Europe, if chaos and injustice prevail on the other end, in Syria,” Tillerson said.

Source: The Guardian January 17, 2018 22:18 UTC