But, he says, Washington hasn't seen widespread evidence of ethnic cleansing; defense secretary says Turkey 'heading in wrong direction' after Trump announces lifting of sanctions

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper assures Baghdad that redeployed troops will only temporarily stay in country before returning home

US plans to send thousands of soldiers to kingdom upon Riyadh's request following a drone and missile attack on Saudi oil plants, which Washington blames on Tehran

US president says 'small number' of US soldiers deployed near Syria's borders with Jordan and Israel; second group remains to secure oil fields

Pelosi also leads congressional delegation to country as US looks to drawdown troops and get peace talks with Taliban back on track

Defense Secretary Mark Esper says American pullout will take several weeks and all forces will be sent to western Iraq to continue fight against Islamic State

Mark Esper says troops going into Iraq will have two missions -- to defend Iraq and perform 'a counter-ISIS mission'

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

Defense secretary says move comes after the US learned Turkey pressing further in than had been expected; Erdogan asserts threats of sanctions won't stop offensive

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper says Washington 'greatly disappointed' by Turkey's invasion of Syria, insists Kurdish forces remain viable partner for American military