Media: US pulls back hundreds of troops from Syria

The United States has begun pulling hundreds of troops out of northeastern Syria, marking a major shift in its military posture in the country following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December.

While American officials describe the move as a response to changing threats, analysts warn it could jeopardise efforts to stabilise Syria and combat the Islamic State’s resurgence, Caliber.Az reports citing The New York Times.

Three of eight U.S. operating bases—Mission Support Site Green Village, M.S.S. Euphrates, and a smaller outpost—are being shut down, reducing troop levels from 2,000 to around 1,400. Two senior U.S. officials said commanders would reassess the situation after 60 days, though they recommended keeping at least 500 troops in Syria.

President Trump, however, remains sceptical of keeping any forces in the country. For now, officials say the reductions were based on commanders’ advice and approved by the Pentagon and Central Command.

The drawdown comes at a sensitive time. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (S.D.F.), long the primary U.S. partner against ISIS, recently agreed to integrate into the new Syrian government formed by a rebel coalition under Ahmed al-Shara. The move is seen as a breakthrough for Damascus in its efforts to reunify the country.

But ISIS remains a serious threat. U.S. intelligence has warned that the group will seek to exploit the political transition, possibly staging prison breaks. Roughly 10,000 ISIS fighters and 35,000 family members are currently held in S.D.F.-run detention camps.

According to U.S. and U.N. sources, ISIS attacks surged in 2024, with up to 400 incidents reported. Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute noted a troubling trend: “No actor stands more determined to drive instability in a post-Assad Syria than ISIS.”

A senior ISIS leader, Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i, also known as Abu Khadija, was killed in an American drone strike in Iraq in March. Iraq’s Prime Minister described him as “one of the most dangerous terrorists in the world.”

U.S. officials remain cautiously optimistic about the new Syrian government, led by Hayat Tahrir al Sham. Early cooperation has shown promise, with Damascus disrupting eight ISIS plots using American intelligence.

Still, deeper U.S. troop cuts are on the table as the Trump administration prepares a broader Syria policy review. With key policy roles vacant, analysts warn that indecision could derail Syria’s fragile progress.

By Aghakazim Guliyev