(MENAFN- Pajhwok Afghan News) KABUL (Pajhwok): US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Tuesday said A Qaeda, Daesh and their affiliates in Syria and Afghanistan continued to pose a serious threat to the Americans at home.
McConnell, who is pushing an amendment to a Middle East policy bill, said the bill would recognize the dangers of a precipitous withdrawal from either conflict and highlight the need for diplomatic engagement and political solutions to the underlying conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan.
Speaking from the Senate floor, McConnell announced the amendment to the bill, which is currently being debated.
Exact timing for the final vote on the bill, which at this point enjoys bipartisan support, has not yet been determined.
McConnell added that, "while it is tempting to retreat to the comfort and security of our own shores, there is still a great deal of work to be done.....we're not the world 's policemen, but we are the leaders of the free world."
Trump ordered a rapid withdrawal of troops from Syria on December 19, a move that was widely criticized by lawmakers from both parties.
Since that initial announcement, Trump earlier this month extended his original 30-day timeline to withdraw the troops to four months and told reporters, "I never said we're doing it quickly, but we're decimating ISIS."
National security adviser John Bolton said earlier this month that the US will pull out of Syria only with assurances Turkey will not attack Kurdish allies there.
The Senate voted overwhelmingly 74 to 19 Monday to advance to open debate on a Middle East policy bill that includes fresh sanctions on Syria.
Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan told reporters that ISIS has lost "99.5% plus" of the territory it once held in Syria and Iraq, adding "within a couple of weeks it will be 100%."
"ISIS is no longer able to govern in Syria, ISIS no longer has freedom to mass forces, Syria is no longer a safe haven," Shanahan said.
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