Syria

Retired Army Gen. Raymond Thomas joined a list of former officers who have questioned the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

Trump also said it was highly unlikely that the presence of the weapons would lead to a confrontation with Turkey.

The lesson underscored by the SDF-Assad alliance was not lost on the Middle East: Russia would stick with its allies.

The decision comes amid the chaos of Turkey's invasion into northern Syria.

The administration's recent move to endorse a Turkish incursion into Syria sparked outrage among some U.S. Special Forces.

Top brass weren't blindsided by recent events, officials now say.

"We have to always be concerned with this," the former defense secretary said.

"We have reports already of indiscriminate fire landing near American forces," Defense Secretary Mark Esper said.

Turkish officials say the U.S. position was not targeted.

"De-escalate the situation before it becomes irreparable," Pentagon chief spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said.