PULLBACK

Report: Trump Freezes $200 Million Pledged for Syrian Recovery Efforts

A day after saying U.S. troops will soon pull out and “let the other people take care of it now.”

President Trump has frozen more than $200 million in funds meant to aid stabilization and recovery efforts in Syria, The Wall Street Journal reports. The move came just a day after the president said American troops would soon pull out of the war-torn country and “let the other people take care of it now.” U.S. officials cited by the Journal said the State Department has been ordered not to spend the funds, which were pledged by then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in February. Trump is said to have made the decision to put a hold on the funds after reading news reports that Washington had promised an additional $200 million to help the country’s recovery after more than seven years of war. While the Islamic State has lost all but about 5 percent of territory in Syria, some fear an early exit by U.S. forces could lead to a resurgence of the group. The move has also raised concerns about Russia and Iran gaining more control in the region, an alarming prospect for Israel and Saudi Arabia.