US withdrawal from Syria put on hold until conditions are met

The US decision to not immediately withdraw from Syria is an indication of political differences in the United States, analysts said.

US President Donald Trump announced on Dec 19 that he would pull back 2,000 US troops from Syria "now", causing concern among US allies and many US officials.

John Bolton, the national security adviser, said on Sunday that the US would pull out only after the Islamic States group is sure to be defeated and Kurdish militias are safeguarded.