US takes into account huge Syria withdrawal
(MENAFN) The Trump administration is reportedly considering a substantial reduction of US troops in Syria, according to The Washington Post. American forces have been in Syria since 2014, initially to combat ISIS, but have remained even after the end of Syria’s civil war.
A US official told the Post that the troop numbers might be cut “to a bare minimum,” with the expectation that American forces would be concentrated in just a small location in northeastern Syria. A defense official confirmed that plans are underway to “reduce” and “consolidate” US military presence, but emphasized that a full withdrawal is not yet on the table.
The official also noted that troop movement is already underway, but any formal announcement is expected after US-Iran nuclear talks. However, the decision to withdraw could be affected by rising ISIS attacks in eastern Syria.
In December 2024, the Pentagon confirmed that there were 2,000 US troops in Syria, more than double the previously reported number of 900. The US presence has been widely criticized by both the Assad government and Russia, who consider the deployment illegal and accuse the US of exploiting Syrian resources, particularly in the oil-rich northeastern regions.
During his first term, President Trump ordered a partial withdrawal from Syria, but the plan was never fully realized. Since returning to office, Trump has downplayed the situation in Syria, describing it as a “mess” that does not require further US involvement. Last month, the US presented Syria with a list of conditions for potential relief from sanctions, including allowing US counter-terrorism operations on Syrian soil.
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