Order signed for US military's Syria exit

Turkey promises to prevent power vacuum in wake of Trump's decision

WASHINGTON - The order to withdraw US troops from Syria has been signed, the US military said on Sunday, after US President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart agreed to prevent a power vacuum in the wake of the controversial move.

The announcement that US troops would leave the civil war-racked country - where they have been deployed to assist in the multinational fight against the Islamic State group - shocked global partners and US politicians alike.