Macron hails US for leaving some troops in Syria

By Yusuf Ozcan</p> <p>PARIS (AA) – French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday welcomed the United States’ decision to leave at least 200 troops in Syria after the planned withdrawal of most of its forces.</p> <p>&quot;On the U.S. decision, I can only but welcome this choice…the U.S. decision is a good thing,&quot; said Macron, speaking at a joint news conference with his Iraqi counterpart Barham Salih at the Elysee Palace.</p> <p>&quot;That responds to the need to stay with the SDF and those who, on the ground, have worked to fight against the Islamic State,&quot; he added, referring to the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces.</p> <p>He will pay a visit to Iraq in the coming months, he noted. </p> <p>Touching on the cooperation between France and Iraq on security and defense issues, he underlined that France will continue supporting Iraq against terrorism.</p> <p>The U.S. currently has more than 2,000 troops deployed in Syria.</p> <p>On Thursday, the White House said 200 troops will remain in Syria as part of a peacekeeping effort. However, a report published by The Washington Post said 400 troops will remain, with 200 in northeast Syria and another 200 at the al-Tanf garrison in southern Syria.</p> <p>The pullout, which is not expected to be completed until the summer, will be driven by the situation on the ground, according to U.S. officials.</p> <p>