Erdogan: We will take command of the fighting in Syria

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan spoke on Friday following the US withdrawal from Syria.

By ALON EINHORN
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses his supporters in Konya, Turkey, December 17, 2018. (photo credit: REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS)
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses his supporters in Konya, Turkey, December 17, 2018.
(photo credit: REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS)
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan spoke on Friday following the US withdrawal from Syria.
Erdogan claimed his country will take command of the fighting against ISIS in Syria, and continue its fighting against the Kurds in northern Syria.
A US official speaking anonymously said that US considers putting special forces in Iraq, to respond to events in Syria.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi that the U.S. is still committed to fighting Islamic State in Iraq and other areas despite its planned troop withdrawal from Syria, Abdul Mahdi's office said on Saturday.
US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US forces from Syria was followed by harsh criticism from Israeli intelligence officials.
"A feeling of abandonment," An official told The New York Times. "Trump threw us under Israel bus - and in this case the bus is a Russian truck supplying weapons to Syria and Hezbollah."
Trump's decision also received criticism in the Republican camp. "It is an Obama-like mistake made by the Trump administration." Senator Lindsey Graham called the withdrawal. "This will be a great victory for ISIS, Iran, Assad and the Russians."
Senator Marco Rubio tweeted on Trump's decision, saying "It will haunt America for years to come."