Hundreds of American troops have been withdrawn from Syria, according to US officials, in line with US President Donald Trump’s new approach to the region and as a direct result of the fall of the Assad regime.
“The consolidation of US forces in Syria is safe, deliberate, and conditions-based,” a US defense official told Al Arabiya English.
An estimated 500 troops were withdrawn in recent weeks, and multiple US bases were handed over to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) or shut down, Fox News reported on Monday, citing US officials.
Fox News also reported that Mission Support Site Green Village was shut down, while MSS Euphrates was handed over to the SDF. According to the officials who spoke to Fox News, a third base was also vacated.
US officials confirmed to Al Arabiya English that a number of troops had been deployed elsewhere and that the bases were shut down or handed over within the last month.
CENTCOM referred questions on the matter to Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell’s announcement of the consolidation of forces in April.
That statement said the US would consolidate troops in Syria under Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve to select locations in the country, bringing down the US footprint in Syria to less than 1,000.
“As this consolidation takes place, consistent with President Trump’s commitment to peace through strength, US Central Command will remain poised to continue strikes against the remnants of ISIS in Syria,” Parnell said at the time.
The United States has maintained a partnership with the SDF for several years, viewing it as crucial in the fight against ISIS.
Despite having reservations about engaging with Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Trump administration has now lifted sanctions on Syria, paving the way for regional and international players to enter the Syrian market and help begin the path to recovery.
Washington gave the Syrian government a list of conditions earlier this year. This included expelling foreign fighters from the country as well as removing foreign fighters from official military or government positions, preventing Iran and its proxies from reestablishing a foothold and others.
But on Monday, Reuters reported that Washington had okayed a plan by Damascus to integrate foreign fighters into the army.
Beyond Syria, the US has approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq, 3,500 in Jordan, and nearly 2,000 in Turkey.
In a deal between Baghdad and the Biden administration, the US would consolidate its bases in Iraq and reduce the number of troops stationed there. However, after the fall of the Assad regime, Iraq has been pleading with the US to delay its transition. No decisions have been made yet, officials said.
Al Arabiya
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