anti-IS coalition

US envoy quits after Trump’s Syria decision

Brett McGurk, the US special envoy to the anti-Islamic State group coalition, has resigned, a State Department official said Saturday, capping a chaotic week that saw the departure of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Donald Trump's stunning decision to pull troops from Syria. McGurk's resignation, effective December 31, comes on the heels of Mattis's decision to quit the Trump administration over key disagreements with the US president, notably the Syria withdrawal.

Just last week McGurk, a Barack Obama appointee whom Trump kept on, said "nobody is declaring a mission accomplished" in the battle against IS – just days before the president blindsided politicians and allies with his announcement of victory against the jihadist movement. Trump on Saturday said that the jihadist group "is largely defeated."

"When I became President, ISIS was going wild," the president tweeted. "Now ISIS is largely defeated and other local countries, including Turkey, should be able to easily take care of whatever remains. We're coming home!"

Trump later took aim at McGurk on Twitter, referring to him as a "grandstander" who was quitting just before his time was up. McGurk, 45, was set to leave his position in February, but reportedly felt he could no longer continue in the job after Trump's declaration and on Friday evening informed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of his intention to wrap up at year's end.

anti-IS coalition

US envoy quits after Trumps Syria decision

Brett McGurk, the US special envoy to the anti-Islamic State group coalition, has resigned, a State Department official said Saturday, capping a chaotic week that saw the departure of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Donald Trumps stunning decision to pull troops from Syria. McGurks resignation, effective December 31, comes on the heels of Mattiss decision to quit the Trump administration over key disagreements with the US president, notably the Syria withdrawal. Just last week McGurk, a Barack Obama appointee whom Trump kept on, said nobody is declaring a mission accomplished in the battle against IS just days before the president blindsided politicians and allies with his announcement of victory against the jihadist movement. Trump on Saturday said that the jihadist group is largely defeated. When I became President, ISIS was going wild, the president tweeted. Now ISIS is largely defeated and other local countries, including Turkey, should be able to easily take care of whatever remains. Were coming home! Trump later took aim at McGurk on Twitter, referring to him as a grandstander who was quitting just before his time was up. McGurk, 45, was set to leave his position in February, but reportedly felt he could no longer continue in the job after Trumps declaration and on Friday evening informed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of his intention to wrap up at years end.