>> what does this mean for the troops helping protect the oil fields in syria? >> the two are separate, but related. related in the sense that both signify, again, our commitment to the enduring defeat of isis. the troops now that are denying isis access to those oil fields are doing so so we make sure isis doesn't generate the revenue that would allow them to buy weapons to attack our partners in europe or the homeland. that's why we're reinforcing positions in the southern part of northern syria. >> did the withdrawal of u.s. forces from the turkish/syria border accelerate this operation in any way? >> i don't think so. the withdraw was made because president erdogan said he was