Donald Trump says US should let Russia fight Daesh in Syria

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to the media before a campaign event in Columbia, South Carolina, September 23, 2015. (AFP photo)

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says he would reduce the American involvement in Syria in favor of a greater military role by Russia in the fight against the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group.

"Russia wants to get rid of ISIS. We want to get rid of ISIS. Maybe let Russia do it. Let them get rid of ISIS. What the hell do we care?" Trump said in an interview with CBS aired on Sunday, using another acronym for the Takfiri terror network.

The Republican front-runner also said that the United States should step back and let Daesh terrorists fight the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

"Assad and ISIS are mortal enemies. We go in to fight ISIS. Why aren't we letting ISIS go and fight Assad and then we pick up the remnants?" he asked.

Trump’s strategy runs counter to that of his Republican rivals, who are calling for a bigger military involvement in Syria.

In Iraq, however, Trump said he would consider sending ground forces to combat the Daesh terrorists.

Russia has been beefing up its military presence in Syria, moving warplanes, tanks and personnel to an airfield in western Syria.

The deployment has raised concerns in Washington that Moscow seeks to establish a military outpost in Syria to boost the Assad government.

President Obama (R) and President Putin at the G-20 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2013. (file photo)

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday US support for militants in Syria were illegal and ineffective.

"In my opinion, provision of military support to illegal structures runs counter to the principles of modern international law and the United Nations Charter," he told US media ahead of a meeting with President Barack Obama.

Putin said that Russia's support for Syria was in accordance with the UN Charter, since "we have been providing assistance to legitimate government entities only."

Obama and Putin were set to meet on Monday after Putin’s much-anticipated speech at the 70th UN General Assembly in New York, 10 years after his last speech at the annual event.

 

 


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