But president rejects US responsibility for region: 'Anyone who wants to assist in protecting the Kurds is good with me, whether it is Russia, China, or Napoleon Bonaparte'

One expert says troop pullout will impact US credibility for years to come; another believes president's stock in Mideast has plummeted while Putin's is skyrocketing

American soldiers prepare to evacuate equipment in advance of a full withdrawal, as Trump threatens Turkey with sanctions over offensive

Dropped by their US ally and forced to call in the Damascus regime to face Turkey, the minority group could pay a steep price for its protection

Hevrin Khalaf, her driver and others 'executed' by fighters allied with Ankara outside Tel Abyad in northern Syria

EU chief says political solution is only way to end the Syrian conflict; NATO calls for Turkey to avoid actions that may further destabilize the region