Top two lawmakers blast Trump's move to withdraw U.S. troops from northeast Syria

WASHINGTON, Oct 7 (Reuters) - The top lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate on Monday condemned the decision by President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. troops from northeastern Syria, which critics fear could open the way for a Turkish strike on Kurdish-led fighters in the area.

"This decision poses a dire threat to regional security and stability, and sends a dangerous message to Iran and Russia, as well as our allies, that the United States is no longer a trusted partner," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, said in a statement calling on Trump to "reverse this dangerous decision."

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement: "A precipitous withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria would only benefit Russia, Iran, and the Assad regime. And it would increase the risk that ISIS and other terrorist groups regroup." (Reporting by Makini Brice, Susan Heavey and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Lisa Lambert)