US military to scale back presence in Syria as troop numbers plummet

The US military is planning to reduce its presence in Syria over the coming weeks and months, with reports suggesting that the number of American troops stationed in the country could be cut by half.

Currently, approximately 2,000 US personnel are based primarily in northeastern Syria, where they have been working closely with local forces to prevent a resurgence of ISIS. One official, who requested anonymity, stated that troop levels could be reduced to around 1,000, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

However, some officials have raised doubts about the scale of the reduction. The ongoing tensions with Iran and the continued military buildup in the region have prompted concerns that such a significant pullback could undermine US interests in the area. Recently, the US has reinforced its military presence in the Middle East, deploying B-2 bombers, warships, and advanced air defence systems.

President Donald Trump has also voiced concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, reiterating his stance that Iran must abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons or face potential military strikes. In the midst of these developments, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is overseeing a global review of American military deployments. In Syria, the situation has shifted with the country's new leadership following the ousting of Bashar Assad. The Syrian government has been working to rebuild both regional and international ties. 

Recently, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) signed an agreement with Damascus, merging Kurdish-led governing bodies and security forces with the central government. Despite this, the US has maintained a cautious approach toward Syria's new leadership. In March, Washington provided Syria with a list of conditions for partial sanctions relief, but has been wary of fully engaging with the government due to its past connections with Al-Qaeda.

The Pentagon is drafting a plan for the potential withdrawal of all American troops from Syria. The sources noted that President Donald Trump and key officials close to him have recently expressed interest in a complete pullout of US forces from Syria.

By Naila Huseynova