The resignation of Brett McGurk (left) follows that of Defense Secretary James Mattis (right), who quit over the same concerns (AFP)
The United States' envoy to the international coalition fighting the Islamic State group (IS), Brett McGurk, resigned from his position on Friday, CBS has reported.
McGurk had planned to resign in February, CBS and the Associated Press reported. However, he was prompted to move that date forward due to his distaste at US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw all troops from Syria.
McGurk's resignation follows that of Defense Secretary James Mattis, who quit over the same concerns.
The US envoy had publicly assured that Washington was committed to continuing the fight against IS in Syria just days before Trump's announcement.
"We want to stay on the ground and make sure that stability can be maintained in these areas," he said.
Mistake from the start
Meanwhile, Iran welcomed the impending US pullout from Syria on Saturday, calling the US presence "a mistake, illogical and a source of tension".
The statement made by Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi was the first since Trump announced on Wednesday that he was pulling US troops out of Syria.
"From the start, the entry and presence of American forces in the region has been a mistake, illogical and a source of tension, and a main cause of instability," Qasemi was quoted as saying by state media.
From the start, the entry and presence of American forces in the region has been a mistake, illogical and a source of tension, and a main cause of instability
– Bahram Qasemi, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson
Trump announced the pullout saying that the war against IS had been won, and there was no need for a US presence in the region.
He also said that Iran, the Syrian government and Russia now needed to confront the group.
In a tweet on Thursday, Trump said "Russia, Iran, Syria & many others are not happy" about the impending withdrawal.
Through money, military advisers and militias, Iran has helped prop up the government of Bashar al-Assad since the revolution against him erupted in 2011.
Tehran contends that the only legitimate foreign forces in Syria are those invited into the country by Assad's government.
No change in al-Tanf
In related developments, a rebel group in eastern Syria said US forces had not pulled out of the al-Tanf base they share near the Iraqi border, and did not expect them to any time soon.
The leader of rebel group Maghawir al-Thawra, Colonel Muhanad al Talaa, said on Saturday the rebels were informed of Trump's decision but nothing had changed on the ground.
"American troops plan to withdraw completely form Syria, but I don't have details and things are as they are up until this moment," Talaa told the Reuters news agency from the base.
Al-Tanf was set up when IS controlled the area along the Syria-Iraq border, but the fighters have since been rolled back.
It is strategically placed near the Damascus-Baghdad highway, which is suspected to be a chief route through which Iran supplies the Syrian government and the Lebanese group Hezbollah with arms.
Washington has declared a 55km "deconfliction zone" around the al-Tanf base, which has become a safe haven for at least 50,000 civilians, mostly women and children, who live in the Rukban camp within it.
Washington's decision means an even bleaker future for these camp dwellers for whom the camp was a safe haven as many fear retribution if they return to their towns in Syrian government-controlled areas in eastern Syria, residents say.
US forces have occasionally hit Iranian-backed militias operating near the base, as well as Syrian government troops.
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