An interview with US serviceman on the issue of northern Syria

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Turkish "Peace Spring" military operation, which started on October 9, has made a splash among US policy makers. The president's decision to withdraw troops from operation area has split the nation's political elite into two halves. Some officials say Washington shouldn't have abandoned the Kurds; others have supported president's decision and agreed that there's "not their border and the US shouldn't be losing lives over it."

It's obvious that the majority of those who criticized the withdrawal are indifferent to Kurds' fate in northern Syria. With almost a year until the 2020 presidential election, whatever Trump's decision to be condemned and called "wrong" by his competitors.

In this regard, it would be interesting to know what is the opinion of US servicemen, who are mostly indifferent to big politics, concerning the troops' withdrawal. I've managed to make contact with John K. (names have been changed to protect the innocent), who in 2018 served in Syria's Dadat village (Manbij), which was left by US army a few days ago.

Here's a little interview with him.

- When did you go to Syria and what was the task?

- I was sent to Syria in 2018 it was my first and the only trip to this country as of today. Before that, I had served two tours in Iraq. We were deployed to Dadat village where we had a compound. By a weird coincidence, it's seized by *** Russians now (laughing). What about the tasks... I don't want to tell you what was my task... the units' tasks were area patrol and air supports. We maintained contact with Kurds, who provided us with different data.

- How often did Kurds provide you with data?

- I think every day... Another matter was that we didn't always use their data. There were different reasons to that... sometimes our Command doubted the truth of provided data... sometimes two or more sources' information differed... as for me, the main reason lied in US' lack of interest to some data... I mean the whole nation's interest. I know that sometimes Kurds showed their dissatisfaction due to the fact we ignored their data. But they kept silence realizing that they were not those who "calls the tune."

- What's your opinion on the Kurds?

- They're good guys in whole. Though we had a some kind of misunderstanding, I think it was due to different sets of mind and religions. They are brave fighters. They showed it in fighting ISIS.

- And what's your opinion on the Turks? You had to contact with them too.

- A little complicated. Only our Command had contact with the Turks, by the way, it was dissatisfied with work with them. Moreover, here, in the USA, I've already learnt a few stories about our joint patrols in northern Syria. Just believe me, the stories are not pleasant.

- What's your opinion on Trump's decision to withdraw troops from north-eastern Syria?

- It's a total b***t! Write that! What for we have been serving there for a number of years? I'm sure if we keep our presence there, Turkey wouldn't do those things that they are doing now! It's a real genocide. I regret we've allowed it.

- The Syrian Arab Army and Russian troops are helping Kurds now. What's your comment to that?

- It's obvious, that if we abandon them, they have no choice except alliance with Assad and Russians. I keep telling you, I'm sorry we've abandoned them. It's good that somebody stands by them.

Authors Bio:
I'm a Lebanese Middle East researcher of Syrian origin.
In 2012, my sister was severely injured after a mortar shell hit our house in Al-Rastan outskirts (Homs province, Syria). Our family had to flee for medical treatment to Lebanon. Since that time we live in Lebanese city of Zahle.
Journalism decree, Zahle branch of Lebanese university. PhD candidate in geopolitics.
The closest topic of research is a Syrian conflict and Middle East issues.