US Plans To Reduce Troops In Syria As Regional Tensions And Military Consolidation Increase

Due to military realignment and rising regional tensions, the US intends to reduce its personnel presence in Syria during the next few weeks.

Two U.S. officials said Tuesday that the United States is set to cut its personnel numbers in Syria by half by consolidating its military presence in the nation over the next few weeks and months.

There are currently about 2,000 American soldiers spread over many facilities in northeastern Syria. Their goal is to stop the Islamic State organization, which formerly ruled over large swaths of Syria and Iraq before being vanquished by local and international coalitions, from reemerging along with local troops.

An unnamed official speculated that the consolidation may reduce the number of troops to about 1,000. Even though he confirmed the consolidation plan, a second official voiced skepticism about such a large withdrawal, particularly given that the US is still negotiating with Iran and expanding its military footprint in the wider Middle East.

More US military equipment, such as air defense systems, warships, and B-2 bombers, has been sent to the area in recent weeks.

Iran seems to be purposefully postponing a nuclear deal with the United States, President Donald Trump said Monday, threatening to launch a military attack on Tehran’s atomic facilities unless it gives up its nuclear aspirations.

Under these circumstances, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reevaluating American troop deployments around the world. The evaluation takes place as Syria’s situation is changing, with an Islamist-led administration taking power following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December.

Recently, the US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Damascus reached an agreement to merge Kurdish-run security forces and administrative bodies with the central government. Although the Trump administration has limited its involvement with Syria’s new government, in March it sent a set of requirements to the country that offered partial respite from sanctions. Using the government’s prior ties to Al-Qaeda as justification, some US officials have called for a more rigorous approach.

The situation that is developing highlights how complicated US participation in Syria is as Washington tries to strike a balance between regional allies, counterterrorism initiatives, and great-power confrontation with Iran.