Top US military official says 500 troops to remain in Syria

US troop levels in northern Syria will probably stabilize around 500, a top American military leader said, weeks after President Donald Trump had announced a complete withdrawal.

General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told ABC television that the US troops will be less than



1,000.

Trump's abrupt announcement last month drew angry rebukes. He later relented in part, saying he would leave some troops in the region.

Milley said it was important for US troops to remain in Syria so long as IS has a presence there.