US Defence Secretary James Mattis resigns

Former general quits after president’s surprise troop announcement

Secretary of defence James Mattis with Donald Trump at the White House
(Image credit: 2018 Getty Images)

US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis has resigned from his post, two days after Donald Trump’s announcement of troop withdrawals from Syria and Afghanistan.

The New York Times reports that Mattis went to the White House with his resignation letter already written, however he “made a last attempt at persuading Mr. Trump to reverse his decision about Syria”.

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