WASHINGOTN  - US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has resigned, taking issue wih President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw about 7,000 troops from Afghanistan, The New York Times reported on Friday. 
The shock announcement sparked fears in the Asia-Pacific region that the United States was abdicating its leadership of alliances necessary for stability and peace.
The decision prompted Mattis to stand down. He said the US needed to treat allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about potential enemies.
Differing with Trump over the withdrawal of US troops from Syria and Afghanistan, Mattis said the president deserved someone "better aligned" with his views.
Mattis acknowledged differences with Trump in a resignation letter he submitted to the White House on Thursday. The United States derived its strength from relationships with allies and should treat them with respect, he argued.
"We must do everything possible to advance an international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity and values, and we are strengthened in this effort by the solidarity of our alliances," Mattis wrote.
Mattis has warned against troop pullout from Afghanistan. The Pentagon released the resignation letter soon after Trump tweeted that Mattis would be leaving.
"General Jim Mattis will be retiring, with distinction, at the end of February, after having served my administration as secretary of defense for the past two years," Trump wrote. (Pajhwok)