US considering major Syria withdrawal – WaPo

American troops have been deployed in the Middle Eastern country since 2014

US President Donald Trump’s administration is considering a significant reduction of American troops in Syria, the Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing officials familiar with military planning.

American forces have been illegally stationed in Syria since 2014. Washington insisted they were deployed to counter ISIS, though they have remained in the years since Syria’s war ended.

A US official focused on the region told the WaPo there’s an expectation that troop numbers would be cut “to a bare minimum,” adding “I think we’re going to go down to one very small place in the northeast.”

A defense official confirmed ongoing plans to “reduce” and “consolidate” Washington’s troop presence but insisted a full withdrawal is not currently under discussion.

“Stuff is already moving, although they likely won’t announce anything before the Iran talks,” referring to US-Iran nuclear negotiations that began last week, with a second round set for this weekend in Rome.

Any withdrawal plans could be derailed by Islamic State’s increased attacks in eastern Syria, according to the WaPo.

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In December 2024, shortly after Syrian President Bashar Assad was ousted, the Pentagon acknowledged having 2,000 troops in Syria – more than double the previously reported 900. Later that month, several media outlets reported that US military convoys carrying weapons and equipment had crossed into Syria from Iraq.

Both the former Assad government and Russia have repeatedly condemned the US presence as an illegal occupation, arguing that Washington was never granted permission to station troops in Syria. Damascus has also accused Washington of stealing Syrian natural resources, given that the US bases are located in the country’s oil-rich northeastern regions.

During his first term, Trump had ordered a partial withdrawal from Syria, though it was never completed. Since returning to office, he has largely avoided the topic, stating only that Syria is a “mess” and doesn’t need American involvement.

Last month, Washington handed Damascus a list of conditions for partial relief from Assad-era sanctions. The list, a copy of which was seen by the WaPo, included demands to allow US counter-terror operations on Syrian soil and a formal declaration of support for Operation Inherent Resolve – a US-led campaign against terrorism in Syria and Iraq.