Decision made on Syria pullout, announcement soon: US intel chief

The United States has reached a decision on a possible withdrawal of troops from Syria, the top US intelligence official said today, adding that an announcement was imminent.

According to a report in the Washington Post, Trump has instructed military leaders to prepare a pull-out from Syria, but has not set a date for them to do so.

Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said President Donald Trump took part in "a significant discussion" with his national security team on the US commitment in Syria at the White House on Tuesday.

"There will be a statement shortly relative to the decision that was made," Coats said at a breakfast with defense reporters.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he wants American troops to "get out" of Syria, even as top US officials stressed the need to stay for the long term.

"Our primary mission in terms of Syria was getting rid of ISIS," Trump said, using an acronym for the Islamic State group.

"We've almost completed that task. And we'll be making a decision very quickly in coordination with others in the area as to what we'll do."