Syria conflict: Trump 'committed to defeating IS', says Lindsey Graham

President Trump announced the withdrawal of 2,000 US troops from Syria

A top Republican has said US President Donald Trump remains committed to defeating Islamic State (IS) in Syria, despite his plan to withdraw US troops.

Senator Lindsey Graham said he was now reassured of the president's commitment after meeting him on Sunday.

Mr Trump heard how IS is not "completely destroyed" during a Christmas visit to troops in Iraq, Mr Graham said

Mr Trump's troops withdrawal plan was met with strong criticism from major allies, as well as senior Republicans like Mr Graham.

The president and White House have yet to comment on any formal plan changes. On 19 December, Mr Trump announced the pullout of some 2,000 troops, asserting that IS had been defeated.


Critics of the plan dispute this claim, arguing the move could lead to a resurgence of IS which would hurt national security.

US troops have helped rid much of Syria's north-east of the jihadist group, but pockets of fighters remain.

Two people have since resigned since the decision was announced - Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and a top US official in the fight against IS, Brett McGurk.

• Trump rewrites US-Syria policy
• After the caliphate: Has IS been defeated?
• Why the battle for northern Syria matters