Trump urges US to stay out of Syrian civil war, blaming Obama for failure as Islamists close in on capital

President-elect Donald Trump has made his first public comments on the ongoing Syrian Islamist revolt against dictator Bashar al-Assad, who is currently barricaded in his palace in Damascus. The radical Islamist movement has advanced to the suburbs of the Syrian capital, with plans to storm Assad’s stronghold.

In a statement on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump urged the United States to stay out of the conflict, stating, “Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!” He criticized former President Obama for not enforcing his “red line” in 2013, which would have led to military strikes against Assad following a chemical weapons attack that killed over 1,400 civilians.

Trump highlighted the current situation in Syria, where opposition fighters have made significant advances and are on the outskirts of Damascus, poised to take down Assad’s regime. He noted the challenges faced by Russia, which has been a key supporter of Assad but is preoccupied with its conflict in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military has been on high alert, responding to an attack on a U.N. post in Syria. The IDF has deployed additional forces in the Golan Heights area to protect Israel and its citizens. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has discussed the situation in Syria with his Turkish counterpart, emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians and pursuing a political solution to the conflict.

The Islamist rebel forces, including the U.S.-designated terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have made significant territorial gains in Syria, posing a serious threat to Assad’s regime. The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, passed in 2015, calls for a cease-fire, UN-run elections, and a new constitution in Syria, but Assad has rejected its implementation.

Expert Phillip Smyth believes that Trump’s comments reflect a realistic assessment of the situation in Syria and the ongoing civil war. He anticipates further chaos and infighting among different factions as the battle for Damascus intensifies. Despite the risk of Assad using chemical weapons, Smyth sees a rapid collapse of the regime’s control due to internal corruption and ineffective mobilization efforts.

As the conflict in Syria escalates, it remains to be seen how the international community will respond and what the future holds for the country and its people.