Donald Trump has issued a strange, rambling defence of his controversial decision to green light Turkey’s invasion of Syria, insisting he had consulted with everyone before acting and that Britain was among those parties “thrilled by the decision."

Just hours after the White House announced, in what represented a major policy shift in the Middle East, that it was withdrawing US troops from part of northern Syria ahead of a planned Turkish military operation, the president claimed more people supported the decision than disagreed.

He said the UK was among those parties who agreed with the policy shift, which critics say opens the door to Turkey to attack Kurdish forces previously backed by the West.

“A lot of people have their opinion. I could name many who are extremely thrilled that we’re coming home,” he said at the White House.

“The UK is very thrilled at this decision. As you know, they have soldiers over there also. And others. But many people agree with it very strongly. I understand both sides of it very well.”

Syria’s children waiting in doorways Show all 17 1 /17 Syria’s children waiting in doorways Syria’s children waiting in doorways Shayma al Hassan, five, a Syrian refugee born in Lebanon Her family arrived from the city of Halab in 2014. They lived on the perimeter of Halab airport in Syria, which was under control of the Syrian Free Army. As they fled under the cover of darkness by car they saw dead bodies of families lining the pavements and roads near their home. They would love to return to Syria at some point in time but “life in Lebanon is better than a war zone”. Lack of water, and financial handouts being cut by aid agencies means the family have less access to food. Paddy Dowling/Muslim Aid Syria’s children waiting in doorways Ahmed Abdulaziz Farai, three, was born a Syrian refugee in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon His family arrived in 2014 from the city of Raqqa. They were faced with the impossible dilemma, stay in Syria and face conscription to the government regime, join Isis who were in full swing or leave to neighbouring Lebanon that has shouldered approximately 2 million refugees from Syria. Ahmed’s father, Abdulaziz, who works as a painter and decorator is yet to be paid four months wages by his Lebanese employers, putting enormous financial strain on his family. They all want to return home to Syria if they can together as a family if the situation allows it in the future. Paddy Dowling/Muslim Aid Syria’s children waiting in doorways Warda al Hammoud, nine, from Reef Halab in Syria arrived at Mohsin Yaseen Camp, Bekka Valley They fled fierce fighting between government forces and Isis. Airstrikes destroyed their home. After settling on the Turkish border for two months they decided to move to Lebanon. Smugglers demanded $1200 (£950) to facilitate passage for the family. They work eight-hour days for $13 per day to ensure that all bills are paid. Warda is in grade 1 in school and has hopes one day to become a doctor. The family prayers during the holy month of Ramadan is to return home to Syria one day. Paddy Dowling/Muslim Aid Syria’s children waiting in doorways Sharook Sbaa, nine, lives in Jaraheyi Camp in the Bekaa Valley She arrived in Lebanon in 2013 from Reef Halab. The journey to Lebanon took three days across the mountain using smugglers at a cost of $300. Sharook’s mother, Tharah, tripped and fell, breaking her arm on the journey whilst six months pregnant. The Syrian Free Army destroyed their schools because they were funded by the regime state. She dreams of becoming a doctor. Tharah laughs, turns to Sharook and said “how can you possibly dream of becoming a doctor if you have never been to school?” Paddy Dowling/Muslim Aid Syria’s children waiting in doorways Waedad Sheikh, seven, is a Syrian refugee from Haleb She arrived with her family in the Bekaa Valley in 2013. Her mother Malachy ran away with the children, alone, as her husband was working away at the time to provide an income for his family. They left with only the clothes on their backs as the neighbouring homes were being bombarded by heavy tank artillery and airstrikes. Waedad was extremely scared as they came across the mountain that they may be caught by officials. She dreams of being able to go to school one day soon, although, her request for enrollment has been rejected many times due to lack of funding. Paddy Dowling/Muslim Aid Syria’s children waiting in doorways Hiba al Masader five, was born in a refugee camp in Lebanon Hiba suffers from hay fever and can’t stop rubbing her eyes. Her hands are covered in dirt and bacteria from the camp where rats live among the rubbish, open sewers and drains. Her father Ghadeer explains that doctors are concerned her eyes are becoming infected. This could permanently damage her vision unless regular medication is purchased at a cost of $5 per week Ghadeer simply can no longer afford. Paddy Dowling/Muslim Aid Syria’s children waiting in doorways Aziz, six, and Majid Al Haj Mohamed nine, arrived from Reef Halab with their family in 2014 after crossing over the mountains The family now live in Jaraheyi Camp in the Bekaa Valley. They work prising scrap metal from the dirt of the camp and the surrounding land, which they sell to dealers for 65p/kg. When asked what they were working to be able to afford, they replied: “We just want to be able to help our families to buy food.” Paddy Dowling/Muslim Aid Syria’s children waiting in doorways Hiba Alawad Hilali 10, and her family arrived in Lebanon from Raqa in Syria in 2017 They were illegally smuggled across the mountains and entered the country like so many others. Isis had taken control of Raqqa, residents of the city like Hiba and her family were prisoners in their own homes without access to regular food or water. She passes the time by playing hopscotch with her friends. However she has never been to school or sat in a classroom. Hiba can only write her name but she still dreams of becoming a teacher one day. The family have made several applications for her to go to school only for it to be rejected on the basis there is no space and no funding for new classes or facilities. Paddy Dowling/Muslim Aid Syria’s children waiting in doorways Aymen al Yasr, six, arrived from Raqa in Syria in 2016 and now lives in the Bekaa Valley They fled their home after a neighbour’s house was hit by airstrikes, killing all members of the household. Aymen’s father made the passage to Lebanon ahead of the family to find the safest route and then returned to collect them. Aymen has made good friends in the camp and has started grade one in satellite school operated in the camp for restricted hours in the week. Paddy Dowling/Muslim Aid Syria’s children waiting in doorways Yasmeen Ahmed, eight, left Alleppo, Syria when war broke out in 2012 They had very little access to food or water and so were forced to become refugees in neighbouring Lebanon. They feel it would be impossible to return back to Syria not knowing if they have anything to return to. The UN provide $200 per month for the whole family which must provide for eight people. The family explained “they urgently need funds to ease the financial burden here at Mohsin Yaseen Camp in the Bekaa Valley. The rent on their tarpaulin tent is $150 per month excluding electricity. The family have an $800 loan from the camp shop which they are struggling to repay as the family have been in various forms of employment but have been without any work for two months. Paddy Dowling/Muslim Aid Syria’s children waiting in doorways Louay Al Hassan, five, a Syrian refugee at Mohsin Yaseen Camp, Bekka Valley, Lebanon, arrived from Reef Halab in 2017 During the time in which they fled, Isis had infiltrated all the neighbouring towns and villages. They were trapped. The only available option was to plan their escape under the cover of darkness. They used boats to escape across rivers. Louay and his family live on less than a dollar per day each which covers food, heating and any other expenses. They have to pay $100 ground rent for their tent to their Lebanese landlord. Landlords evict tenants immediately if they miss one month’s rent. They mainly eat rice and cant afford to buy vegetables that often. Meat is the rarest of luxuries, at a cost of around $17 per kg for lamb. The family run a credit line of up to $700 with the camp shop in order to survive. Louay and his mother Khadeeja wish during the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims worldwide to be able to return to Syria with dignity. Paddy Dowling/Muslim Aid Syria’s children waiting in doorways Azzadin Jassam, eight, from Reef Halab, arrived in Lebanon in 2012 as civil warfare engulfed the country They arrived illegally over the mountains with smugglers at a cost of $400. His father Zacharia currently works in a restaurant as a cleaner, until harvest season when he will start picking potatoes in the fields for around $10 for eight hours per day. Azzadin’s youngest sister, Jaydeh, lies on the floor of the family tent, wrapped in a blanket to protect her from the draft finding its way in. Zacharia raises her trouser leg and jumper to reveal her painfully emaciated and skeletal frame. Jaydeh has been sent home by a Lebanese hospital to die. The family, powerless, could no longer afford to fund the hospital bills. At six months old she caught a virus which in turn restricted the supply of oxygen to the brain. She has led a mainly normal life in part, however, the past few months has seen her condition deteriorate. Jaydeh died that afternoon in the camp. His father’s wish during the holy month of Ramadan is “to have my beautiful daughter alive with us”. Paddy Dowling/Muslim Aid Syria’s children waiting in doorways Najwah Alawi, 12, a Syrian refugee, arrived in Lebanon from Todmor, Homs, in 2014 Life was extremely difficult when war broke out in Syria. Food was incredibly scarce. They were forced to sell their livestock to pay for food. Najwah’s father has been forced to take whatever employment he can to ensure the family is provided for. The family rely on handouts of food from the Syrian community of refugees. Najwah is fortunate to attend a government-funded school paid for by a private donor; she is the cleverest girl in her year and has hopes of becoming a doctor in the future. Paddy Dowling/Muslim Aid Syria’s children waiting in doorways Yasr al Ali, 10, arrived from Raqqa in 2016, displaced through civil war Yasr’s family had to run from the Syrian regime and Isis arriving on foot across the mountain pass. He explains “life here is really hard, I miss my home in Syria”. Yasr is in grade KG3 in school and hopes to become a businessman when he completes his schooling. He dreams of one day being able to buy a house and a car. Paddy Dowling/Muslim Aid Syria’s children waiting in doorways Aisha Sheikh, two, was born in the camp. Her family They arrived to the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon in 2013 Her mother Malachy ran away with the kids alone as her husband was working away at the time to provide an income for his family. They left with only the clothes on their backs as the neighbouring homes were being bombarded by heavy tank artillery and airstrikes. There has been no news from relatives in Syria for over six years. Paddy Dowling/Muslim Aid Syria’s children waiting in doorways Hassan Khudr, six, arrived from Haleb in Syria in 2014 and now lives in the Bekaa Valley They fled their home after a neighbour’s house was hit by a shell. He has made good friends in the camp. His mother Aisha explains that life is extremely hard in the camps and the winter was so cold with heavy rainfall for prolonged periods causing the settlements to flood. Paddy Dowling/Muslim Aid Syria’s children waiting in doorways Ghayda Jassam, five, born a Syrian refugee in Lebanon Her family escaped civil war, arrived from Reef Halab in 2012, illegally over the mountains with smugglers at a cost of $400. Her father Zacharia currently works in a restaurant as a cleaner, until harvest season when he will start picking potatoes in the fields for around $10 for eight hours per day. Paddy Dowling/Muslim Aid

Asked whether Downing Street agreed with Mr Trump's characterisation of the UK response, prime minister Boris Johnson's official spokesman said: "We are deeply concerned by reports that Turkey intends to launch a military operation in north-east Syria. We do not support the proposed Turkish action and we are in close touch with international partners including the US, France and Germany. The UK has been consistently clear with Turkey that unilateral military action must be avoided because it would destabilise the region and threaten efforts to secure the lasting defeat of Daesh.

"We have also made that position clear to the US. The foreign secretary (Dominic Raab) underlined to (US secretary of state) Mike Pompeo yesterday that Turkish threats of military incursion are a cause for serious concern."

The decision to permit Turkey to roll into northern Syria and effectively abandon the the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which Ankara considers terrorists because of their support for a banned Kurdish separatist organisation inside Turkey, was widely criticised by Democrats and Republicans. It was also condemned in the region by those who feared it could trigger more bloodshed.

Senator Lindsey Graham, usually a staunch Trump ally, called the move “impulsive”, and suggested it would undo “all the gains we’ve made [and] throw the region into further chaos”.

He added: “I hope I’m making myself clear how shortsighted and irresponsible this decision is in my view.”

Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell said: “A precipitous withdrawal of US forces from Syria would only benefit Russia, Iran, and the Assad regime and increase the risk of reorganisation by Isis.”

Nikki Haley, Mr Trump’s former ambassador to the United Nations, also issued a condemnation of the decision, using social media.

Thousands of people in Syria gather to protest against possible Turkish military incursion

“We must always have the backs of our allies, if we expect them to have our back,” she tweeted. “The Kurds were instrumental in our successful fight against Isis in Syria. Leaving them to die is a big mistake #TurkeyIsNotOurFriend.”

The decision to move US troops came late on Sunday evening and followed phone call between Mr Trump and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“Turkey will soon be moving forward with its long-planned operation into northern Syria. The United States armed forces will not support or be involved in the operation, and the United States forces, having defeated the Isis territorial ‘caliphate’, will no longer be in the immediate area,” the White House said.

Reports suggested that US allies operating in the region, including Britain, were caught by surprise. There was no immediate response to Mr Trump’s claim about Britain being “thrilled” from Downing Street, the foreign office, or the department of defence.

About 1,000 US troops were operating in northeastern Syria as of September, according to CNN. On Monday, reports said around 50 would be deployed elsewhere in Syria.

Britain is among several countries, including France, that have a tiny number of special forces personnel operating in Syria.

“The American forces did not fulfil their commitments and withdrew their forces from the border areas with Turkey, and Turkey is now preparing for an invasion operation of northern and eastern Syria,” the SDF said in a statement.

“Erdogan’s threats are aimed to change the security mechanism into a mechanism of death, displace our people and change the stable and secure region into a zone of conflict and permanent war. We are determined to defend our land at all costs.”

Speaking in the Roosevelt Room of the White House at an event where he signed a trade deal with Japan, Mr Trump said he had campaigned to bring US troops home.

“We’ve been there for many, many, many years beyond what we were supposed to be. Not fighting. Just there. Just there. And it’s time to come back home,” he said.

“I can understand the other side of it. But if you go by the other side, that means we should never, ever come home.”