The US executive order of withdrawal from Syria has been signed off on, indicating that President Trump is determined to recall the few thousands US troops in Syria back home. It is well known that regular troops are much more vulnerable during withdrawal operations than in combat or deployment positions. Accordingly, the withdrawal, which seems to be happening despite widespread scepticism in Syria and Iraq, will likely take less than the announced 100 days to complete. US military command keeps the dates secret to avoid casualties. Although the departure of the US is much welcomed by all parties in and around Syria – except for the Kurds – Trump is intentionally leaving behind a very chaotic situation in the Levant, and is setting a deadly trap for Russia in the first place, but also for Iran and Turkey.
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| Look at northern Syria near the border with Turkey. Manbij is in Aleppo (Halab) province, northeast of the city of Aleppo. Tal Abiad is directly north of the city of Ar Raqqa near border with Turkey. Deir-Ezzour = Dayr Az Zawr. Palmyra is located in south central Syria. |