Baladi News
The top U.S. general in the Middle East says he would have counseled President Trump against pulling forces out of Syria had the president consulted him in advance – and that the terror group is not yet defeated.
Gen. Joseph Votel, an Army four-star who heads U.S. Central Command, made comments that were at odds with Trump's December assertion that the U.S. and its allies had 'defeated ISIS' in Syria.
'When I say, "we have defeated them," I want to ensure that means they do not have the capability to plot or direct attacks against the U.S. or our allies,' Votel told CNN.
'They still have this very powerful ideology, so they can inspire,' he told the network.
Votel has said previously the president did not consult him before announcing the decision to withdraw troops via Twitter.
'It would not have been my military advice at that particular time,' Vogel said of the withdrawal Trump ordered.
'I would not have made that suggestion, frankly.' He said the ISIS-proclaimed caliphate 'still has leaders, still has fighters, it still has facilitators, it still has resources, so our continued military pressure is necessary to continue to go after that network.'
But Votel indicated he would follow the orders of the commander-in-chief.
Source: Mail Online.