Top US commander makes secret visit to northern Syria
Top US commander makes secret visit to northern Syria - BBC News
The top US commander for the Middle East secretly visited Syria on Saturday, officials said.
General Joseph Votel, head of US Central Command, spent about 11 hours in northern Syria.
He met US military advisers and the leaders of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), made up of Kurdish and Arab rebel forces.
The US wants local forces to defeat the so-called Islamic State (IS) group, which holds territory in the country.
Speaking after the visit, Gen Votel said training local forces to fight IS was the right approach.
"I left with increased confidence in their capabilities and our ability to support them. I think that model is working and working well," he said.
(left with a shopping list ... )
Top US commander makes secret visit to northern Syria - BBC News
The top US commander for the Middle East secretly visited Syria on Saturday, officials said.
General Joseph Votel, head of US Central Command, spent about 11 hours in northern Syria.
He met US military advisers and the leaders of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), made up of Kurdish and Arab rebel forces.
The US wants local forces to defeat the so-called Islamic State (IS) group, which holds territory in the country.
Speaking after the visit, Gen Votel said training local forces to fight IS was the right approach.
"I left with increased confidence in their capabilities and our ability to support them. I think that model is working and working well," he said.
(left with a shopping list ... )
