The U.S. military may reduce its troops in Syria from 2,000 to about 1,000, amid concerns regarding Iran and ongoing military evaluations. The reduction reflects a strategic consolidation of forces while maintaining pressure on Syria’s new Islamist-led government.
The U.S. military is anticipated to reduce its troop presence in Syria in the coming weeks, as reported by two officials. Presently, approximately 2,000 troops are stationed in various northeastern bases, primarily collaborating with local forces to thwart an Islamic State resurgence. Consolidation efforts may cut troop numbers by half, potentially bringing them down to around 1,000.
One anonymous official acknowledged the possibility of this reduction, yet another official expressed skepticism about achieving significant troop cuts, especially amidst ongoing negotiations between the Trump administration and Iran, alongside increased military deployments in the region. The U.S. has recently bolstered its military presence in the Middle East, dispatching B-2 bombers, warships, and air defense systems.
President Trump has indicated that Iran seems to be purposefully delaying negotiations on a nuclear agreement, contending that the country must abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons to avoid military action against its atomic facilities. Concurrently, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is conducting a global evaluation of military personnel stationed worldwide.
In Syria, the newly formed Islamist-led government is working to rebuild diplomatic relationships both regionally and internationally. Last month, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which have U.S. support, reached an agreement with Damascus to merge governance and security forces with the central government. The U.S. administration previously outlined conditions for Syria to obtain partial sanctions relief, yet engagement with the new leadership has remained minimal.
In summary, the U.S. military is preparing for a potential reduction of its troop presence in Syria, possibly halving the current numbers to about 1,000 troops. This strategic move coincides with ongoing negotiations with Iran and a reassessment of global military deployments. As geopolitical dynamics evolve, the U.S. maintains a cautious approach toward Syria’s new government while intensifying military readiness in the region.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
