U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has urged the United States to steer clear of the escalating conflict in Syria, where a swift rebel offensive has reached the capital, Damascus, and ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
“THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” Trump stated emphatically on social media.
As global leaders reacted to the dramatic rebel advance, which has the potential to reshape the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, also confirmed the Biden administration’s stance against intervention.
“The United States is not going to … militarily dive into the middle of a Syrian civil war,” Sullivan said during an event in California, while affirming the U.S. would continue efforts to prevent extremist groups like the Islamic State from exploiting the situation.
The Syrian civil war, now in its 13th year, has killed over 500,000 people and fractured the country. Assad’s government had been supported by Russian and Iranian forces, as well as allied militias like Hezbollah.
Despite this, the rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, made significant gains, capturing major cities within 10 days and entering Damascus on Sunday. Reports suggest Assad has fled the country to an undisclosed location.
Trump, currently in Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, shared his first comments on the unfolding events. He criticized the U.S.’s historical approach to the conflict and expressed skepticism about supporting Assad, emphasizing that the U.S. should avoid entanglement.
“Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!” Trump wrote on social media.
He also noted that Russia, deeply engaged in its conflict with Ukraine, appeared unable to halt the rebel advance in Syria, despite its longstanding support for Assad.
While condemning the broader handling of the war, Trump hinted that the routing of Assad and his allies might ultimately prove beneficial. For now, he and the Biden administration remain firm in their resolve to avoid direct U.S. military involvement in Syria.
