France and Great Britain just keep their troops in Syria, after the announcement of the United States that they withdraw their troops from the country. France and Great Britain are considering to keep troops in Syria because “the IS is still not defeated”. According to Paris and London, the fight against IS has not yet been fought. This is in contrast to what US President Donald Trump stated.

“We have defeated IS in Syria, and that was the only reason to be there during the presidency Trump,” the US president wrote on Twitter yesterday. The decision to withdraw the American troops, Trump was much criticized not only with opponents, but also within his Republican party.

“Still a lot of work ahead”

France and Britain also disagree with Trump. “Of course we stay in Syria”, says the French Minister for European Affairs Nathalie Loiseau.

The British Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also clear:

“IS is far from being overcome. The international coalition has made great progress, but a lot of work remains to be done and we must not underestimate the threat. IS will continue to pose a threat even without territory.”

It is a strange statement in many ways. If the IS will pose a threat “even without territory” why keeping the territorial presence in Syria will is supposed to help the defeat of invisible ex-territorial enemy? And how exactly 75 military trainers training Syrian moderate opposition forces are the key for that overwhelming success.

“Naive”

Syrian expert Charles Lister stated in a position published yesterday that Trump’s decision is a “dream scenario” not only for IS but also for Russia, Iran and the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

“Although it is not a complete surprise, President Trump’s decision to withdraw completely in military terms is extremely short-sighted and naive,” wrote Lister.