WASHINGTON(TIP):Defending his decision to withdraw troops  from the war-torn Syria, US President Donald has Trump said  America cannot be the world’s policeman.

President Trump and First Lady Melania secretly left Washington on Christmas night and visited Iraq on Wednesday, December 26 to deliver holiday greetings to US combat troops.

“President Trump and the First Lady travelled to Iraq late on Christmas night to visit with our troops and Senior Military leadership to thank them for their service, their success, and their sacrifice and to wish them a Merry Christmas,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a tweet.

Trump delivered a speech to around 100 uniformed service members at an air base west of Baghdad where he defended his decision to pull American troops out of Syria.

“The US cannot continue to be the policeman of the world,” Trump said after he addressed American soldiers. He said the US could use Iraq as a regional launching pad to carry out operations against the IS and Syria.