The regime of Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad claimed Monday through state-run media that Turkey began launching aerial attacks across the border, as American troops are obeying President Donald Trump's order to withdraw to the United States. 

Trump defended his decision as unconfirmed reports of airstrikes blanketed Twitter, largely traceable back to unverified amateur video. Syrian government-run SANA TV called it 'Turkish aggression' targeting the 'north-eastern countryside' of Syria where some Kurdish forces are based.

Claims of airstrikes are likely to ramp up military tensions and benefit both Syria and Russia, which aim to be viewed as targets rather than aggressors. Turkey reportedly denied launching any aerial attacks near its border with Syria.

They will also inflame tensions between Trump and Republicans with a swathe of senior party figures including Mitch McConnell, Nikki Haley and Lindsey Graham breaking with the president for pulling U.S. troops out - with Mitt Romney calling it a 'betrayal.' 

President Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that he had told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erogdan – presumably during a Sunday phone call – that there would be consequences if harm comes to the dozens of remaining American servicemen and women there.

He warned Erdogan: 'I don't want anything bad to happen to our people' during the troop withdrawal, and promised 'big trouble' if casualties result.   

Trump mainly washed his hands of the Syrian military quagmire, saying any resurgence of the ISIS terror army would no longer be America's immediate concern. 

Countries in what he said is 'not a friendly neighborhood' will have to make do without the United States, Trump said after signing a trade agreement at the White House.  

'Iran is an example. Hates ISIS, and ISIS hates Iran. Iraq, you know all about that. Turkey. Syria,' he rattled off.

'Let them take care of it. Let them take care of it. We want to bring our troops back home.'