Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly informed Israeli officials of his intent to withdraw approximately 2,000 American troops from northern Syria, according to international media reports.
Trump is said to have conveyed this decision to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of their scheduled meeting at the White House on February 4.
Trump: “Syria Is Not Our Friend”
“Syria is a mess, but it is not our friend, and the United States should have nothing to do with it. This is not our war. Let it evolve. Do not get involved,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.
By 2021, the U.S. had around 900 troops stationed in Syria. However, that number increased to 2,000 by December 2024, with the Pentagon citing security developments and the events leading to the decline of the Assad regime as the reason for the troop surge.
Impact of a Potential Withdrawal
A U.S. withdrawal could have significant consequences for regional stability, particularly for Kurdish forces who have relied on American military support to counter the resurgence of ISIS and deter Turkish offensives.
The move may also affect U.S.-Israeli relations, given Israel’s concerns over Iranian influence in Syria and its military presence near Israel’s borders.
Further details on the plan are expected to emerge following Trump’s meeting with Netanyahu in Washington.
