Pentagon to reduce forces in Syria to less than 1,000 troops

The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced on Friday its intention to reduce the number of US troops in Syria to less than 1,000 in the coming months, as part of what it described as a "deliberate, conditions-based process."

Department spokesman Sean Parnell said in an official statement that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had issued new directives that include consolidating US forces at specific points inside Syria, under what is known as Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.

Parnell explained that these directives come within the context of a reorganization and coordination of the US military presence in the country, emphasizing that the goal of the reduction is to improve operational efficiency and not a complete withdrawal.

He added: "This is a deliberate, conditions-based process, during which the US military presence will be reduced to less than 1,000 troops in the coming months."

Despite the reduction in troop numbers, the US spokesman stressed that counter-ISIS efforts will continue, confirming that operations against the group will remain within the scope of US Central Command (CENTCOM).

"The threat of terrorism is not limited to the Middle East, and we will be vigilant on all continents to ensure that ISIS does not have any safe haven," Parnell said.