WASHINGTON DC - It is early to evaluate the work of the new government in Damascus, led by the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), but their actions should meet their words, said the Pentagon earlier this week.
"With this new government that's forming, I have to emphasize, it's very new. You know, the leaders of HTS are saying all the right things, but actions have to meet with those words. You saw a US delegation go over and engage this leadership,” Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, told Rudaw on Tuesday.
“I wish I could tell you right now I have more clarity on what the future of Syria looks like, but we're still new in what this government is forming and how it's coming together,” she added.
A coalition of rebel groups, spearheaded by HTS, launched an offensive late November, toppling Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8. The country is navigating a transitional phase.
Singh also touched on the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) and their partnership with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). She denied reports that the US is building a new military base in the Kurdish city of Kobane in northern Syria.
She noted that they are “grateful” for the work of Kurdish Peshmerga forces.
The following is the full transcript of the interview with Sabrina Singh:
Rudaw: Now I'm at the Pentagon Press Briefing Room. Sabrina Singh, the Deputy Spokesperson for Pentagon, is joining me, and we're talking about a range of issues related to Middle East, especially Syria. Thank you so much, Sabrina, for sitting down here with me.
Sabrina Singh: Of course, thank you for having me. I'm glad to be with you.
Thank you. Let's start with Syria. The US has recently sent additional troops to Syria, and this was just after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. So, what made you to make this decision, and why you've sent these troops to Syria? What's their role and until when they are going to stay there?
Well, you know, I'd have to correct you a bit there. We've had this presence of troops, actually, for quite some time, and much before the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
[You mean the] 2000 [troops]?
Correct, we had that…
I am talking about the additional troops - 1100.
So, these troops, the numbers that you cite, the 2000 have actually been there for a number of years. What we've had is a core 900 service members that have always been the core element of the defeat ISIS mission within Syria, we have surged over time or added more forces to the region as we've changed different capabilities. We've changed that, sometimes our personnel while they're leaving and rotating in and out. There's a double overlap. So you've seen a plus up of troops sometimes, but that number was never a number that was in response to Assad falling. That's actually that 2000 number that we cited from our press briefings here in the Pentagon has actually been the number that's been consistent for many, for a while, and this was not in response to Assad.
So, you are telling me these 2000 troops were in Syria even before Bashar al-Assad's regime’s fall?
That's right, we've been very public about that. Nothing in response to Assad's fall, there has not been a change to our force posture in Syria or Iraq, and there hasn't been a change to our mission in either of those countries. And the mission overlaps, and that mission, which you, I know you're familiar with, and I'm sure your viewers are as well, is that defeat ISIS mission. So the core element and reason for why our forces are in Syria, and that 2000 level that you cite, is to ensure that enduring defeat of ISIS.
So now you have 2000 troops. How many bases do you have in Syria? Do you have any bases in Kobane, which there are a lot of reports talking about the US has temporary base in Kobane? Or can you, can you share anything on this with us?
On Kobane, I can tell you emphatically that the United States under this administration does not have a plan to set up a base and does not have a base in the Kobane area. In terms of where we are postured within the region, and I can't give you a specific number, what I can tell you is we are in the northern, eastern part of Syria. That's where we've always been for, you know, the last decade. That's where our forces operate in and out of when it comes to that enduring mission to defeat ISIS. But there are no plans under this administration, under the Biden-Harris administration, to set up a US base, nor is there any ongoing work to set up a US base in the Kobane area.
So, you said that you are in Syria to defeat ISIS, but you have a partner in Syria that are defeating ISIS with you. These forces have been distracted because of some other threats coming from Turkish-backed groups, and also your NATO ally Turkey. I've followed that Secretary Austin has talked to his Turkish counterpart a number of times over the phone regarding this issue. Have you got any understanding with Turkey about their issues with SDF and your partners in Syria, because it's true that you are not there for protecting them, but they are helping you to defeat ISIS, which this has some effects on your mission there?
Well, I think what's important to remember is when we talk about our mission to defeat ISIS, we're part of a global coalition. That global coalition includes countries from all around the world who understand that while ISIS is not the threat it once was a decade ago, ISIS still remains a threat. And you saw that here in the United States when we saw, you know, this attack in New Orleans, the attacker being inspired by ISIS. ISIS permeates and finds ways to reach people, whether it be in countries or through social media. So back to your question on how does our mission and how has the Secretary's calls with Turkey and his counterpart unfolded? I think everyone understands and has a certainly a part here to play in ensuring that ISIS never resurges to what we saw a decade ago. Turkey understands that we also understand the threats that Turkey faces, but what we have done with Turkey, and what you've seen the secretary do is have an open communication and while I can't speak to what the incoming administration will decide to do, I can only speak for this one. We have made very clear that our intent and our mission is focused on that defeat ISIS mission, and our partner in that mission is the Syrian Defense Forces, and, of course, the Global Coalition.
So, when your partners in Syria are getting threats by other groups inside Syria, is that in your interest to protect them or to talk with other countries with your NATO ally for having a ceasefire, so that they are able to focus on your mission in Syria?
Well, I think some of the what you're alluding to is some of the tensions that have risen in that Kobane area. And right now we are seeing an agreement or an understanding held between the two sides, and we've seen somewhat of a cessation of violence in that region. So we welcome that. Look when it comes to other threats against our partners and other forces in the region, of course, we are going to take that seriously, but we also can't allow it to detract from our mission, which is to ensure that ISIS cannot resurge and threaten US forces threaten our partners and allies in the region and threaten our homeland, and that's why we're in Syria.
So now in Syria, we have different elements and different groups who's running Damascus, and when we are talking about the new government in Damascus, we have new defense system. What's your comment about the new Syrian Defense System, leading by HTS, and don't you have any concerns about the foreign fighters inside this group, which some of them got promoted recently to get higher positions from the new Syrian Defense Ministry or new Syrian Defense System?
So I think what's important to remember here is the Syrian people have a say in how their government and how their country is run. We're not going to detract from that process. The Syrian people ultimately are going to decide the future of their country. With this new government that's forming, I have to emphasize, it's very new. You know, the leaders of HTS are saying all the right things, but actions have to meet with those words. You saw a US delegation go over and engage this leadership. I wish I could tell you right now I have more clarity on what the future of Syria looks like, but we're still new in what this government is forming and how it's coming together. So to answer your question, I think we have to wait and see what this government looks like, but ultimately it's going to be up to the Syrian people to decide that.
So based on what HTS has done so far, it's been a month.
Well, that's exactly it. It's been a month. Yeah, it's been a month. So we think that's important to remember.
Yeah, so don't you have any concern about the future security in that country?
Absolutely.
HTS is coming from al-Nusra Front, and they were linked to al-Qaida as well?
We have, we have, and we have said very publicly that there's tremendous opportunity in Syria and there's tremendous amount of risk, and both can be equal at the same time. The opportunity is there for a democratic future for it, or whatever that future looks like, but it has to be decided by the Syrian people. The tremendous risk. I mean, we know groups like ISIS take advantage of situations like this, of situations where there's not a clear leadership, where there could be chaos. That's what we don't want to see. That's what we that's why we're there in Syria, and that's why our presence in Syria is so important to ensure that ISIS cannot take advantage of a moment where the Syrian people are deciding their future, and we have to let them do that.
So there's some discussion between Damascus and SDF, your partners. And are you supporting Syrian Democratic Forces to go to Damascus on discussing about how they are joining the new Syrian Defense System? Is that something that you are supporting it? Are helping them for being a part of that new Syrian Defense System, or you still think that it's too early to make that decision?
So I think what I would say on this is I can only speak on behalf of this building, but I won't speak on behalf of the Syrian Democratic Forces is thinking about this issue.
How this building is thinking about this issue?
How this building is thinking about this issue, is that it's through our mission, and our mission still hasn't changed. So when it comes to the defeat ISIS mission, we are, of course, self interested in that we want to ensure that ISIS cannot resurge to a point where it threatens US forces, and is a threat to our homeland security. So we are going to do everything possible to ensure that that mission continues under this administration. I think the Syrian Democratic Forces, you know, they have to decide what their future likes in this new government that's forming. That's not for the United States to decide. What I can say. And what I can speak to on behalf of the Syrian Democratic Forces is our partnership when it comes to defeating ISIS. Again, you said this government is a month old. It's a month old, so we have to let things continue to play out. And I think you're asking all the right questions. We also have those questions,
OK, if it is a decision for SDF to make, so if they decided to join the new Syrian Defense System…
Absolutely. Yeah.
They say okay, hey, we are going to Damascus, and we make a partnership with them. Do you say, Okay, We are welcoming this decision. Or you say, we have to think about it?
Well, I think you know, that's a hypothetical. I'm just not gonna be able to answer for you.
Okay, so just staying in northeast Syria, the Kurdish officials in the past few days have floated the idea of having the French and US troops to take control the northern Syrian border in order to address the Turkish security concerns, which you think that they have these security concerns. Have you ever reached by the Kurdish officials, and have you ever discussed that idea. And how do you see this proposal? Do you think it's an ideal proposal to make your friends in Turkey happy and youth partners in northeast Syria happy?
So I've seen some of this reporting that there's some type of proposal or deal with US forces and other countries forces, I'm not aware of anything like this. Again, things are continuing to develop in that region. Our priority, our mission, our focus, still hasn't changed, and the sole reason we're in Syria is to ensure that ISIS can't resurge. So that is remains our focus. Again, I've seen these reports, but I just don't have anything to offer on that.
Then you are in Syria to defeat ISIS. But as I mentioned earlier, there are things that are distracting you from this mission. Have you ever thoughts about guarding the northern Syrian border in order to address this Turkish security concerns, or it's a new idea. It's a new proposal to you?
Look, when it comes to like setting up any type of additional basing. And I think what you're referencing is, again, in the Kobane area, there is no plan under this administration to set up a US base in Kobane or in that area. Again, our focus and where US forces are located in the region and in Syria are in that northeastern part of the country. So you know, we don't have a map in front of me right now, but you can look at it, and you can see where US forces are located, and it is not near Kobane. So again, I'd have to push back on those reports that that are out there circulating, that we want to set up some type of permanent structure that under this administration, and we've got a few days left, but under this administration, that's not the plan.
Fair enough, I think when the new administration is coming to office, there's a memorandum of understanding between this administration and incoming administration about some really important issues for the US interests. So in the coming days, when the Trump administration taking the office, is there any understanding between this administration and the next administration about your troops in Iraq and in Syria?
In terms of what type of understanding?
To keep your troops there for a while, or just keep maintaining your focus on ISIS, as ISIS is not defeated yet?
I see what you're asking.
Last time we saw that, when the US troops under the Trump administration withdrew from parts of Syria, and they were a big distract and were big problem for your partners, and even ISIS was not defeated that time. So have you talked with the incoming administration about these troops in Syria and in Iraq to stay there for a longer time?
So here's what I'll tell you about conversations with the incoming administration. One, this President and the Secretary has been committed to ensuring a smooth transition. So when there's a change of political parties and a new administration is coming in, as the transition takes place, we brief them on all sorts of things about operations, you know, US force posture in the region. It can be on a wide ranging amount of topics. Ultimately, there's no memorandum of understanding in terms of ensuring you know certain things. It's ultimately up to the incoming administration, up to the next President, to decide what he wants to do. So right now, I can only speak for the Biden-Harris administration and for this secretary. This secretary, certainly as the former commander of Central Command, someone who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, I think he understands the importance to defeat ISIS understands the importance of our troops in Syria, and we certainly hope the incoming administration and the incoming Secretary of Defense understands that as well. And. Look, they are going to be the ones to decide. They're going to come into this building. They're going to meet with the men and women here that support that mission every single day. Maybe they'll have the opportunity to travel to the region. It is ultimately up to the incoming administration to decide what they do with our forces.
Fair enough, I know you have a very short time, and then I have a lot of questions, So, speaking of Iraq, in Iraq, we do have Hashd al-Shaabi, Popular Mobilization Forces, which they are a part of defense system, and you have some concerns about some groups in Iraq. So, you are still in discussion with Iraq about how to forge the new security partnership with Iraq. Do you have anything to share with me about your concerns over the militia groups in Iraq, which backed by Iran?
I mean, our concern is exactly that, that there are militia groups operating in Iraq and in Syria backed by Iran. I mean, we've been very public about our concerns about attacks on US forces, attacks that distract from the mission there. Look, it's no secret Iran tries to inject chaos and tries to hurt US forces that are in the region, our partners and allies in the region. I think you've seen the United States under the secretary take tremendous action to hold Iran backed groups accountable and to hold Iran accountable. And just to widen this out, you know, looking beyond Iraq and Syria and looking to some of the work we've done to shore up our Israeli partners. I mean, you have to remember back in April and again in October, when Iran launched, you know, multiple ballistic missiles towards Israel, the United States played a huge part in shooting some of those down and defending Israel's, you know, citizens there. So I think it's important to remember that, you know, we have certainly held Iran accountable in different ways, either with their proxy groups, like with the Houthis or the IMGs [Iraqi militia groups] that operate in Iraq and Syria or with Iran directly.
Have you been so clear with the Iraqi government over these militia groups in Iraq, which they are taking apart and attacking Israel? And they have attacked your embassy, they have attacked your troops in Iraq. Have you been so clear to them why they are not reining these groups?
We have been very direct in our conversations, when engaging the Iraqi government.
So I'll ask my last question. You have a partnership with Peshmerga forces in Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and you are supporting them to do a reform and bringing all the Peshmerga forces under the umbrella of Ministry of Peshmerga. Do you have the latest assessment on these reforms and unification of the Peshmerga forces in Kurdistan Region?
I do not have any assessment on the reforms that you referenced. I can tell you that, you know, we are certainly grateful to the work of the Peshmerga forces. We obviously work with the Iraqi security forces when it comes to our mission to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS but I do not have more on those reforms.
Thank you so much Sabrina.
