Lawmakers of both major American political parties are condemning President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from northern Syria. Trump made the announcement Sunday ahead of an expected attack by Turkey on Kurdish fighters belonging to the alliance of the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF. The Kurds have been allied with American troops in the fight against the Islamic State militants, or ISIS. Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell of the Republican Party and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, released separate statements criticizing the move. McConnell said a withdrawal right now would only help Russia, Iran, and the rule of Syrian President Bashar al Assad. Pelosi said the development “betrays our Kurdish allies who have been instrumental partners” in destroying the Islamic State. Trump defended his action in a post on Twitter on Monday.