The United States is preparing to withdraw approximately 1,000 troops from Syria over the next two months, marking the end of a decade-long American military presence in the region. This move is part of the ongoing fight against the Islamic State, or ISIS.
U.S. officials confirmed the withdrawal, which follows earlier departures from the al Tanf garrison and the al Shaddadi base. The U.S. has maintained a presence in Syria since 2015, supporting an anti-ISIS coalition. The security landscape has shifted significantly, particularly with the emergence of a new Syrian government and a recent agreement to integrate Kurdish-led forces into the Syrian military.
This withdrawal comes after recent events, including the transfer of thousands of ISIS suspects from Syrian detention facilities to Iraqi custody and a retaliatory operation by the U.S. following the deaths of National Guard members. American bases have also faced periodic attacks from Iranian-backed groups.
The decision echoes previous discussions during the Trump administration regarding a full withdrawal, which previously led to significant policy disagreements.