The United States has decided to withdraw its remaining troops from Syria, numbering around 1,000, following gradual drawdowns over recent months, according to a report.
Citing U.S. officials, The Wall Street Journal reported that the withdrawal is expected to take place over the next two months. The report stated that Washington concluded a continued U.S. military presence in Syria is no longer necessary, pointing to the near-complete dissolution of the YPG/SDF and its subsequent integration into Syrian state structures. This development effectively brings the original U.S. mission — fighting ISIS through local partners — close to completion.
The U.S. military has already finalized its withdrawal from the Al-Tanf garrison, a key outpost near the borders of Syria, Jordan, and Iraq, as well as from the Al-Shaddadi base in northeastern Syria earlier this month.
The report further noted that the withdrawal is not linked to current U.S. naval and air deployments in the Middle East, which are aimed at potential strikes against Iran should nuclear negotiations fail. Iran has reportedly warned that it would target U.S. forces in the region in response to any American airstrikes.
Quoting a senior U.S. official, the report said the withdrawal is proceeding as the Syrian government assumes greater responsibility for counterterrorism efforts, while emphasizing that U.S. forces remain capable of responding to any renewed threat from Islamic State.
According to The Wall Street Journal, some U.S. and foreign officials cautioned that a reduced American presence could risk destabilizing the ceasefire and allow ISIS to reorganize. Others argued that the remaining troops primarily served as a political signal rather than a significant counterterrorism force.
