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US starts pulling forces out of Syria

According to White House, the US victories over IS in Syria do not signal the end of the Global Coalition or its campaign

© John Moore/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, December 19. /TASS/. The United States has begun pulling troops from Syria, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said on Wednesday.

"We have started returning United States troops home as we transition to the next phase of this campaign," Sanders said in a statement.

According to Sanders, "five years ago," the Islamic State terrorist group (banned in Russia) was "a very powerful and dangerous force in the Middle East, and now the United States has defeated the territorial caliphate."

Read also

Trump says US achieved only goal of its presence in Syria by defeating ISIS

Washington launched a military operation against Islamic State in Iraq in June 2014 and in Syria in September 2014.

Nonetheless, she stressed: "These victories over ISIS in Syria do not signal the end of the Global Coalition or its campaign."

"The United States and our allies stand ready to re-engage at all levels to defend American interests whenever necessary, and we will continue to work together to deny radical Islamist terrorists territory, funding, support, and any means of infiltrating our borders," the White House press secretary warned.

Until now, a force of about 2,000 American service members has been deployed in Syria, and about 5,200 more in Iraq.

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Biden's decision on missile strikes on Russia is his 'last gasp' — Japanese lawmaker

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US decision on strikes inside Russia stems from malice rather than strategy — journalist

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Russia fires ballistic, non-nuclear-tipped missile at Ukrainian aerospace plant — Putin

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West launched missiles targeting Russia’s Bryansk, Kursk Regions — Putin

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Putin warns West that Russia can respond to any turn of events

"There will always be an answer," the president said

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Press review: Russian air defenses can down Western missiles as EU conducts live exercise

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US not seeking confrontation with Russia, but will continue assistance to Kiev — Pentagon

Department of Defense Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh also claimed that Washington, while helping Ukraine, is not attempting to turn the conflict into a large-scale regional confrontation that spills beyond the country’s borders

Ukraine was warned about possible missile strike — Pentagon

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Ukraine has around 50 ATACMS missiles — The Times

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US forces strike Houthi sites with seaborne missiles — TV

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US makes mistake by destroying INF Treaty — Putin

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Soyuz rocket carrying Progress MS-29 cargo spaceship blasts off from Baikonur spaceport

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Japanese lawmaker praises Putin's restraint amid decision to strike deep into Russia

Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell confirmed that the US administration had lifted restrictions for US-supplied missiles to be used for strikes up to 300 kilometers inside Russia

China slams US nuclear policy for undermining global stability

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Humanitarian situation in Gorlovka harsh as Ukraine targets key infrastructure — DPR head

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West’s decision on missile strikes gives Russia free hand to attack NATO bases — expert

According to Dmitry Suslov, retaliatory measures may include the handover of more advanced weapons to the forces "that are directly fighting against the US, particularly, in the Middle East"

Russia to address NATO’s engagement in strikes deep inside country — SVR

Sergey Naryshkin observed that the military and political elites in the West are increasingly recognizing the gravity of Russia's intentions and the need for greater caution in their actions

Russia ready to assist Serbia in building oil pipeline via Hungary — Transneft

"This will make it possible for them to be more independent in oil supplies and significantly increase volumes of oil delivered to the territory of Serbia for internal consumption," Vice President Vladimir Kalanda said

Enemy has no countermeasures for Russia’s Oreshnik missile — Putin

Speaking in a televised address, the head of state assured that Russia will issue notifications before using this type of missile

No Western sanctions to limit Russia’s foreign trade — minister

All restrictions that Western countries impose affect themselves in the first place, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov added

Zelensky begs ‘for his country to be flattened’ — US journalist

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