1/14 We’ve been in Syria with US troops. They’re trying to pick up the pieces after Donald Trump’s October announcement that they’d leave the country. It started a Turkish invasion that cost many in northern Syria their lives and their homes. The Kurds felt particularly betrayed 
2/14 About half the number that were here originally, remain - their work complicated by the chaos of October’s decision. This election year you may hear a lot of talk about ‘bringing our people home.’ This is the reality of north east Syria now, for US troops and the Kurds:
3/14 Ali lost his son Sakhr in October’s fight. Sakhr was killed in a Turkish airstrike. He fought alongside the US against ISIS for years. His family - including his 7 month old daughter - is now one of thousands made homeless by October’s incursion, living in a tent
4/14 Ali told us Sakhr’s friend was with him as he lay bleeding. He managed to speak to him on the phone, as the family were fleeing the Turkish assault. But Sakhr’s body was never recovered. Ali is angry at what he sees as betrayal, but still hopeful that the US will help
5/14 We went to a graveyard where SDF soldiers are honoured. More tombs are being built for those killed in October. They worry if the US leaves for good, they’ll be digging more graves here
6/14 Lazgin is a 23 year old SDF soldier - he was paralysed in October’s attack. With a smile, he told us he hopes to join his fellow soldiers once more. But he’d need foreign medical help if he’s to stand a chance of that happening. Many SDF soldiers have life changing injuries
7/14 As ever in Syria, children carry the burden. There are more than 60 abandoned schools across north east Syria, where thousands live in cold damp conditions, waiting to go home to land Turkey now occupies. Tell America to help us, their repeated plea
Thread interrupted by bad service. As I was writing - as though to illustrate the point - a US convoy was attacked at a regime checkpoint not far from where we are. More to follow...
8/14 What was already a complex situation, became even more delicate after October’s withdrawal. Russia, the US, Syrian regime troops and Turkey all share the same space. Confrontation is now more likely
9/14 We were a little too close for comfort with Syrian government troops. These are the abandoned homes that dot the landscape along the edge of the area Turkey took from Syria in Operation ‘Peace Spring’
10/14 On the roads of NE Syria, the US comes into frequent contact with Russian military convoys. They intercept them in areas they’re not supposed to be, and escort them away. Probably the closest the two sides come anywhere in the world
11/14 The US is still protecting the Kurds here. Part of the mission is to protect the oil - they don’t have a lot. Nor is it of great quality. But it may help them gain some kind of semi autonomy. The criticism? This oil is sold to the Syrian regime. Nothing is simple in Syria
12/14 US troops are trying to rebuild trust with Kurdish communities. Ultimately, with Turkey ready to pounce, Russian convoys on the move, the Syrian regime ever present and the threat of any number of militia, the US is still a cautiously welcome peacekeeper in many parts
13/14 But the reality is they’re now operating in an even more dangerous situation, in a far reduced capacity, in a much smaller space with far less capacity to help the Kurds, or achieve strategic objectives.
14/14 Whatever you think about the US role in the Middle East, one phone call in October has caused an enormous impact that’s still being felt months later
All this coming up in an @ABC special report for @ABCNewsLive @ABCWorldNews
All this coming up in an @ABC special report for @ABCNewsLive @ABCWorldNews
