US President Donald Trump’s administration is contemplating a major discount of American troops in Syria, the Washington Submit reported on Thursday, citing officers acquainted with army planning.
American forces have been illegally stationed in Syria since 2014. Washington insisted they had been deployed to counter ISIS, although they’ve remained within the years since Syria’s struggle ended.
A US official targeted on the area informed the WaPo there’s an expectation that troop numbers could be minimize “to a naked minimal,” including “I feel we’re going to go down to 1 very small place within the northeast.”
A protection official confirmed ongoing plans to “cut back” and “consolidate” Washington’s troop presence however insisted a full withdrawal shouldn’t be at present underneath dialogue.
“Stuff is already transferring, though they probably received’t announce something earlier than the Iran talks,” referring to US-Iran nuclear negotiations that started final week, with a second spherical set for this weekend in Rome.
Any withdrawal plans may very well be derailed by Islamic State’s elevated assaults in jap Syria, in line with the WaPo.
In December 2024, shortly after Syrian President Bashar Assad was ousted, the Pentagon acknowledged having 2,000 troops in Syria – greater than double the beforehand reported 900. Later that month, a number of media shops reported that US army convoys carrying weapons and tools had crossed into Syria from Iraq.
Each the previous Assad authorities and Russia have repeatedly condemned the US presence as an unlawful occupation, arguing that Washington was by no means granted permission to station troops in Syria. Damascus has additionally accused Washington of stealing Syrian pure sources, provided that the US bases are positioned within the nation’s oil-rich northeastern areas.
Throughout his first time period, Trump had ordered a partial withdrawal from Syria, although it was by no means accomplished. Since returning to workplace, he has largely averted the subject, stating solely that Syria is a “mess” and doesn’t want American involvement.
Final month, Washington handed Damascus an inventory of circumstances for partial reduction from Assad-era sanctions. The listing, a replica of which was seen by the WaPo, included calls for to permit US counter-terror operations on Syrian soil and a proper declaration of help for Operation Inherent Resolve – a US-led marketing campaign in opposition to terrorism in Syria and Iraq.
