Senator Lindsey Graham Makes Surprise Manbij Visit, Calls For US to Maintain Syria Presence
  • 6 years ago

US Senators Lindsey Graham and Jeanne Shaheen visited Manbij, Syria, on July 2. Senator Graham said he would tell President Trump it was important to keep US forces there.The footage shows a US delegation touring Manbij streets and a local market, alongside members of the Manbij Military Council, a Kurdish militia and US ally.Senator Graham told MMC commanders, "I will tell President Trump that it’s important we stay here to help you. You are friends of the United States and if we leave, it will be terrible.”A pro-Syrian government media outlet reported the US would increase its deployment in the area. According to the report, a convoy of US forces, comprising 12 vehicles, arrived on the outskirts of Manbij on Monday, deploying in the villages of al-Sa’eidah and Awn al-Dadat.The increased US military presence in Manbij comes amid news that President Trump may be looking to reach an agreement with President Putin on the withdrawal of US forces from Syria at their upcoming meeting in Helsinki. Credit: Furat FM via Storyful