American forces begin exit from Syria, troop levels to drop below 1,000
Listen to article
The United States has begun withdrawing around 600 troops from Syria, the Pentagon confirmed on Friday, marking a significant shift in its military posture in the region.
The reduction will bring the total number of American forces in the country to under 1,000 in the coming months.
The move is being described by the Department of Defense as a 'consolidation' of forces and a response to changing conditions on the ground, particularly in the wake of recent developments in Syria and the broader Middle East.
'This is a deliberate and conditions-based process,' said Pentagon press secretary Sean Parnell in a statement. 'Recognising the success the United States has had against ISIS (Daesh), including its territorial defeat in 2019, the Secretary of Defense has directed a repositioning of US forces to select locations under Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.'
While the Pentagon has not publicly detailed which locations will be affected, The New York Times reported that three outposts in northeastern Syria are being shuttered: Mission Support Site Green Village, M.S.S. Euphrates, and a smaller unnamed facility.
Two US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the closures and noted that the troops have already begun redeploying.
The United States had maintained roughly 900 troops in Syria for several years following ISIS's territorial defeat, serving as both a counterterrorism force and a stabilising presence alongside Kurdish allies in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
However, the troop count was raised to over 2,000 in late 2023, following attacks on US interests in the region by Iranian-backed groups, which came in response to the war in Gaza.
The Pentagon's decision to now reduce troop numbers is not without risks. ISIS claimed 294 attacks in Syria in 2024, more than double the 121 attacks recorded in 2023, according to a US defence official. So far in 2025, the militant group has carried out at least 44 attacks, according to the Middle East Institute.
In January, three American soldiers were killed in Jordan by a drone launched by an Iran-aligned militia. That incident sparked further debate in Washington over the future of US involvement in the region.
The troop drawdown also follows the collapse of Bashar al Assad's regime in December 2024, a major turning point in Syria's more than decade-long civil war. Since then, some displaced Syrians have returned home, but large areas of the country remain unstable, and violence continues to flare.
Despite the reduction, US officials say the remaining forces will continue to support the fight against ISIS and deter Iranian-backed militias. They also serve as a buffer between Kurdish forces and Turkish military operations. The YPG/SDF is the Syrian branch of the PKK, which is recognsised as a terror group by the US, UK, EU, Turkiye and NATO.
During his first term, President Donald Trump attempted a full withdrawal from Syria in 2018, but the plan met resistance from Pentagon leadership and led to the resignation of then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
Trump's new administration has reiterated its aim to reduce military commitments abroad while still maintaining pressure on terrorist groups.
The Pentagon stressed that the drawdown will not compromise mission objectives.
'Our remaining forces will be able to maintain pressure on ISIS and respond to any terrorist threats that arise,' Parnell said.
Officials have not indicated whether further reductions are planned, but analysts say the consolidation reflects a longer-term recalibration of US military priorities in the Middle East.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
36 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
Pakistan goes one up
EDITORIAL: The Indians made quite a show of their delegation's meeting with US Vice President JD Vance earlier this month, wasting no time in framing it as a strategic snub to Pakistan. That narrative didn't age well. Field Marshal Asim Munir's lunch at the White House with President Donald Trump — not only listed on the official schedule but also held without any civilian counterpart — has shifted the optics entirely. In diplomatic terms, this is not just a working lunch; it was a reset. This is the first time a Pakistani army chief has been hosted alone at the White House. No prime minister. No foreign minister. The COAS accompanied by the Director General of ISI, who is also the National Security Advisor, and the President with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his special representative for Middle East affairs Steve Witkoff discussed everything from regional security and rare earths to trade and even crypto currencies. Coming at a time when US-Pakistan ties had been tepid at best for the last several years, this engagement marks a sharp and unexpected upturn. Islamabad has every reason to call this a diplomatic win. What makes it even more significant is President Trump's own emphasis on why this meeting happened. He made it clear that he invited Field Marshal Munir to thank him for choosing de-escalation during the most recent Pakistan-India standoff. He went on to credit both Pakistan and India for avoiding what he described as a potential nuclear war, but he was also unambiguous in singling out Munir's influence on the Pakistani side. 'This man was extremely influential in stopping it,' he said, speaking to reporters on the White House. That level of praise from an American president — especially one not known for scripted diplomacy — matters. It's not difficult to read between the lines here. Rawalpindi's ability to secure this meeting, and to frame it as a counterpoint to India's engagement with the US Vice President, speaks to the quiet but real influence that still runs through the channels of military diplomacy. It also reinforces the Pakistan army's centrality in matters of foreign and regional policy, especially during a time of political flux at home and uncertainty abroad. Whatever was said behind closed doors, there was no public articulation of what is a deeply felt consensus in Pakistan — that Israeli actions are unlawful, disproportionate, and a violation of international norms. Trump noted that Pakistan 'knows Iran better than most' and is 'not happy about anything.' Even though that this is a vague characterisation, there were signs of movement on the economic front. Trump mentioned progress in trade negotiations with both India and Pakistan, signalling a rare willingness to rebalance engagement. If this leads to a serious trade deal that provides Pakistan improved market access or technology cooperation, it will be another important gain. For a country struggling with an overstretched balance of payments and dwindling export competitiveness, any structural shift in trade terms with the US would be a meaningful breakthrough. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
36 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
ME situation: Rubio telephones PM
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed Pakistan's readiness to play a constructive role in international peace efforts amid growing concerns over the Iran-Israel crisis, during a telephone call initiated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Secretary Rubio rang up Prime Minister Sharif to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, particularly the Iran-Israel crisis. Sharif described the crisis as 'deeply worrying, not only for the region, but for the entire world,' and called for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. Rubio acknowledged Pakistan's strong relations with Iran and encouraged Islamabad to continue playing a constructive role in the ongoing peace efforts with Tehran. He reaffirmed Washington's commitment to working closely with Pakistan to promote both regional and global stability. During a warm and cordial conversation, Prime Minister Sharif conveyed his best wishes to US President Donald Trump and praised his bold leadership. He also lauded Secretary Rubio's proactive diplomacy, particularly his role in helping Pakistan and India reach a ceasefire understanding, which PM Sharif said averted a major confrontation between the two nuclear-armed states. Sharif welcomed President Trump's recent positive statements about Pakistan, calling them most encouraging' for lasting peace in South Asia. He reiterated Islamabad's readiness to engage in meaningful dialogue with India on all outstanding issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the Indus Waters Treaty, trade, and counter-terrorism. On security matters, PM Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to eliminate terrorism across the country, citing threats from terrorist groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and other militant outfits. In response, Rubio appreciated Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts and assured continued US cooperation to address shared security concerns. Sharif also noted with satisfaction the recent meeting in Washington between President Trump and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, describing it as cordial and productive. On economic ties, Sharif emphasised the need to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, mining, rare earth metals, and information technology. He highlighted the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships, in line with President Trump's focus on expanding global trade. Both sides agreed that ongoing dialogue must translate into tangible outcomes across all sectors. Prime Minister Sharif called for more frequent high-level engagements and reiterated his invitation to President Trump for an official visit to Pakistan. He also invited Secretary Rubio to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience, expressing hope for a visit in the near future. Rubio thanked the prime minister for taking his call and expressed a strong desire to strengthen US-Pakistan cooperation across all areas of mutual interest. He further appreciated Pakistan's efforts to uphold the ceasefire with India and encouraged its continued engagement in peace efforts related to Iran. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
36 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
Thousands protest in Tehran, region against Israel
TEHRAN: Thousands of people rallied in Tehran, Baghdad and Beirut on Friday after weekly prayers to protest Israel's strikes on Iran, chanting slogans against Israel and its main backer, the United States. Images on Iran's state television showed protesters in Tehran holding up photographs of commanders killed since the start of the war, while others waved the flags of Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. 'This is the Friday of the Iranian nation's solidarity and resistance across the country,' the news anchor said. 'I will sacrifice my life for my leader,' read a protester's banner, referring to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to state television, protests took place in other cities around the country, including in Tabriz in northwestern Iran and Shiraz in the south. Last week, Israel launched a blistering attack on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate with barrages of missiles aimed at Israel. Mohammad Javad Haj Ali Akbari, the Imam leading Tehran's prayers, told worshippers that Israel had attacked Iran out of 'despair', the official IRNA news agency reported. He accused Israel of launching a 'psychological war' to 'pit the people of the country against the government'. 'Their plans were precise, but their calculations were laughable,' the Imam said. With warnings of all-out regional war intensifying, fears are growing over an intervention by Iran-backed Iraqi factions, who have threatened Washington's interests in the region if it were to join Israel in its war against Iran. In Iraq, thousands of supporters of powerful cleric Moqtada Sadr rallied after Friday prayers in Baghdad and other cities, AFP correspondents said. Sadr, who has previously criticised Tehran-backed Iraqi armed factions, retains a devoted following of millions among Iraq's majority community of Shiite Muslims. 'No to Israel! No to America!' chanted demonstrators gathered in the Sadr City district of Baghdad, the cleric's stronghold in the capital. 'It is an unjust war... Israel has no right' to hit Iran, said protester Abu Hussein. 'Israel is not in it for the (Iranian) nuclear (programme). What Israel and the Americans want is to dominate the Middle East,' added the 54-year-old taxi driver.
