Trump defence secretary Jim Mattis resigns after clashing with the president over Syria

United States Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will be retiring at the end of February, President Donald Trump announced on Twitter on Thursday evening.

“General Jim Mattis will be retiring, with distinction, at the end of February, after having served my Administration as Secretary of Defense for the past two years. During Jim’s tenure, tremendous progress has been made, especially with respect to the purchase of new fighting equipment….” Trump’s tweet read.

The president’s tweets congratulated Mattis for his service. He said that a new defence secretary would be named “shortly.”

Contrary to the president’s tweets however, Mattis submitted a resignation letter outlining several policy areas where he and Trump disagree.

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In a resignation letter submitted on Dec. 20, Mattis cited Trump’s alienation of allies and pursuit of relations with controversial powers as reasons for their disagreement.

“One core belief I have always held is that our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships. While the U.S. remains the indispensable nation in the free world, we cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies,” Mattis wrote.

The dismissal followed a decision by the Trump administration to withdraw from Syria, despite the pleas of many national security advisers not to do so, reports indicate.

Trump’s decision to pull troops out of Syria has been criticized for abandoning America’s Kurdish allies, who may well face a Turkish assault once U.S. troops leave.

He also cited Russia and China as countries with interests that are “increasingly in tension with our own,” and advised against showing support for authoritarian regimes.

“I believe we must be resolute and unambiguous in our approach to those countries whose strategic interests are increasingly in tension with ours. It is clear that China and Russia, for example, want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model,” the letter read.

“Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position,” Mattis wrote.

Mattis’ departure follows several other high-profile resignations including Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and Chief of Staff John Kelly.

U.S. defence secretary Mattis quits over policy differences

2:14 U.S. defence secretary Mattis quits over policy differences

This story is developing and will be updated as new information becomes available. 

— With files from the Associated Press