'Promising early signs': Trump's security adviser says he remains cautious after fall of Assad

Trump's choice for National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz told ITV News' Robert Moore there were promising early signs of stability in Syria, but added the so-called Islamic state cannot be allowed to reform

Words by ITV News' Washington News Editor, Jonathan Wald

Trump’s choice for national security adviser told ITV News on wednesday that there are “some promising early signs” in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

In a UK exclusive interview, Mike Waltz said: “We’re not seeing mass retribution on the Assad regime.

“The Assad regime was an evil regime that very much needed to go but we're not seeing that style of behaviour... people hanging from bridges.”

However, he said he remains cautious because the "roots" of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - the main group of rebels that have taken control in Syria - are as a "terrorist organisation.”

"We are watching closely, there have been, I think, some promising early signs"

Waltz would not comment on whether the US will withdraw any of the US troops currently in Syria, of which there are believed to be around 900, but said “I support keeping ISIS contained and destroyed.”

The US has a military base, Al-Tanf, in the southeast of Syria next to the country’s border with Iraq and Jordan on a highway leading to Damascus.

On Saturday, just before Damascus fell to the rebels, President-elect Donald Trump said the US should not become involved with the conflict in Syria.

In the post written five days ago on Truth Social, Trump said: “Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED.”

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