How the world reacted to Trump's Syria withdrawal

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U.S. President Donald Trump has announced what will be a total withdrawal of American troops from Syria. He declared Wednesday that his country had succeeded in the mission to defeat ISIL in Syria and was no longer needed in the country.

Major allies and some U.S. politicians have disputed the claim, but what other reactions have there been? Here is a quick look at what the world had to say about the pullout.

Who controls what in Syria

Iran: U.S. troops in Syria "illogical, source of tension"

Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that the U.S. military presence in Syria had been "illogical and a source of tension," the Iranian state news agency IRNA reported.

"From the start, the entry and presence of American forces in the region have been a mistake, illogical and a source of tension, and a main cause of instability," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi added.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani (L) and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attend a joint press conference at the Turkish presidential complex in Ankara, December 20, 2018. /VCG Photo

Turkey welcomes U.S. pullout

Turkey on Friday welcomed the United States' decision to pull all its troops from Syria and declared that Ankara had postponed an operation in the east of the Euphrates River in the war-torn country.

Moreover, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a recent deal with his U.S. counterpart for eliminating what's left of ISIL in Syria by the Turkish army.

"We welcome the U.S. decision of withdrawal from Syria. We must coordinate the pullout with the U.S.; there should not be a vacuum. From now on we should focus on a political solution," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters in Malta.

Turkey, Iran vow to work closer on Syria after U.S. announcement

Russia: Trump's decision is 'correct'

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday hailed the decision by Trump, calling it “correct” because the American troops were not needed, The New York Times reported.

Earlier, TASS news agency also quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying withdrawing U.S. troops from Syria created prospects for a political settlement.

Syrian Democratic Forces and U.S. troops are seen during a patrol near the Turkish border in Hasakah, Syria, November 4, 2018. /VCG Photo‍

Iraq discusses the withdrawal with U.S.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has assured Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi that the U.S. is still committed to fighting Islamic State in Iraq and other areas despite its planned withdrawal of troops from Syria, the latter's office said on Saturday.

Abdul Mahdi and Pompeo discussed the withdrawal and Washington's decision to grant Iraq a 90-day extension on a waiver from sanctions against Iran that would allow Baghdad to purchase electricity from Tehran, the Iraqi prime minister's office said in a statement.

SDF: U.S. withdrawal from Syria will spark ISIL revival

The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Thursday the withdrawal from Syria will allow an ISIL revival and threaten the battle in eastern Syria.

The Kurdish-led force said pulling U.S. troops and officials out of its region would have "dangerous implications" on international stability.

According to the leader of a Pentagon-backed rebel group in Syria, U.S. troops have not left the strategic Tanf garrison on the Iraq-Jordan border.

"American troops plan to withdraw completely from Syria, but I don't have details and things are as they are up until this moment," said Colonel Muhanad al Talaa, leader of Maghawir al-Thawra whose several hundred fighters work alongside U.S. troops at the Tanf camp.

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China calls for 'Syrian-led inclusive process'

At a regular press briefing on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Beijing always respects Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that the future of Syria should be decided by the Syrian people.

With terrorist groups seriously weakened in Syria, efforts to resolve the Syria issue have entered a "key stage," Hua said in response to the withdrawal of American troops from Syria.

"We hope all sides involved can make joint efforts to create conditions for an early start of a Syrian-led inclusive process, and work towards the resolution of the Syria issue at an early date," she added. "This is in line with the common interests of all parties in the international community."

Taking back territory doesn't mean defeating

U.S. officials have warned that taking back the group's territory would not be the same as defeating it, Reuters reported.

Some of Trump's Republican allies in Congress railed against the pullout decision. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said a withdrawal would have "devastating consequences" for the U.S. in the region and throughout the world.

Also, British junior defense minister Tobias Ellwood said he strongly disagreed with Trump that ISIL had been defeated in Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would study the decision and would ensure its own security.

France will maintain its participation in the coalition fighting ISIL in Syria, a government minister said Thursday.

"For now, of course, we remain in Syria," France's European Affairs Minister Nathalie Loiseau said on CNews television, adding "the fight against terrorism is not over."

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Thursday that U.S. withdrawal could endanger the battle against ISIL and jeopardize achievements on this front.

(With inputs from agencies)