Senior White House officials revealed that the US is preparing to withdraw nearly all of its remaining 1,000 troops in Syria within the next few months. They stated that the Syrian government has agreed to take primary responsibility for counterterrorism within its borders, making a broad US military presence no longer necessary.
US forces have been operating in Syria since 2015 to combat the Islamic State group (ISIS). However, this withdrawal decision comes at a time when President Donald Trump is ramping up military forces in the Middle East due to escalating tensions with Iran.
The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, equipped with guided missile destroyers and numerous fighter jets, is already stationed near Iran. Additionally, reports indicate that the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest warship, is en route to the Middle East and is expected to arrive within three weeks.
A senior security official stated that President Trump has ordered the military to prepare for a possible attack on Iran as soon as Saturday, 21 Feb 2024 GMT+7, although no final decision has yet been made.
This move follows the collapse of the Assad government in 2024 and significant improvements in Syria’s security situation. The Trump administration has sought to establish diplomatic relations with Damascus and increased cooperation with President Ahmed Al-Shara, who made history as the first Syrian leader to meet Trump at the White House last November.
Furthermore, in January, the Syrian government reached an agreement to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian army. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with the Syrian foreign minister last week to reaffirm commitments to maintaining a ceasefire and suppressing remaining terrorist groups.
In December, ISIS gunmen ambushed in Palmyra, killing one interpreter and two members of the Iowa National Guard, which led to the Trump administration launching "Operation Hawk Eye Strike" to eradicate ISIS in the area.
Despite the planned withdrawal of approximately 1,000 troops, the White House confirmed that the US remains ready to respond to any threats in the region under its security transition plan.
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