Defense Secretary James Mattis will retire at the end of February, said Trump

United States. Defense Secretary James Mattis attends a press conference in Skopje, Macedonia, September 17, 2018.
(Reuters)

President Trump announced Thursday night that Defense Secretary James Mattis will retire in February in a shock statement that will be added to the list of outgoing members from the president's office after his second year in office.

Mattis He will leave his post "with distinction" after two years in office, said the president on Twitter.

"During Jim's tenure, considerable progress was made, particularly with regard to the purchase of new combat equipment," said Trump tweeted . "General Mattis has been a great help in bringing allies and other countries to their military obligations, and a new Defense Secretary will be appointed shortly." for his service! "

After the announcement, the Pentagon issued a copy of Mattis' signed letter of resignation.

Mattis wrote that he had "had the privilege of sitting" as secretary of defense and that he had recognized the ministry's record during his stay there.

In his letter to Trump, Mattis acknowledged that a strong nation relies on a "global" network of alliances and must be "resolute and unambiguous" in its approach to developing countries. strategic differences, citing China and Russia.

"Because you have the right to defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other topics, I think it's fair for me to resign from my position," wrote Mattis.

give the president and the department enough time for his replacement to be appointed and confirmed.

Mattis' resignation came a day after the US authorities confirmed that Trump's administration was considering taking 2,000 US troops out of Syria. ] It's a story in development. Please check again for updates. Lucas Tomlinson of Fox News contributed to this report.