(CNN) President Donald Trump's decision to pull US troops from Syria last week -- a move that cleared a path for Turkey to attack US-allied Kurdish forces there -- got a mixed response Tuesday from Senate Republicans.

Many criticized the decision because they believe it opened the door to the resurgence of ISIS, but others defended it as the best way avoid US servicemembers from being caught in the crossfire between Turkish and Kurdish troops.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell led the chorus against the move, directly condemning Turkey for attacking the Kurds.

"I know I speak for many of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle in expressing my grave concern at the events that have unfolded in Syria in recent days," he said in a floor speech. "Turkey's escalation of hostilities with the Syrian Kurdish partners who have helped the United States fight terrorism is completely unacceptable. This violence needs to end."

But McConnell also had a message that appeared aimed at Trump, who often advocates an isolationist approach to problems around the world, although he didn't mention the President by name.

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