Assad raises prospect of clashes with US forces in Syria
BEIRUT - President Bashar al-Assad raised the possibility of conflict with US forces in Syria if they do not withdraw from the country soon.
In an interview with Russia's RT international broadcaster, Assad said he would negotiate with fighters backed on the ground by Washington, but would reclaim territory they control by force if necessary, whether or not American troops supported them.
Assad also responded sharply to US President Donald Trump's description of him as an animal, saying "what you say is what you are".
Around 2,000 U.S. special forces troops are believed to be on the ground in Syria, where they have aided a group called the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is led by the YPG, a Kurdish militia.
The US-backed group holds the largest area of Syrian territory outside government control, but has tried to avoid direct clashes with the government during the multi-sided war.
