The Trump administration may soon initiate a full withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria, according to reports. NBC News, citing two defense officials, revealed that the Pentagon is developing plans to remove all troops within 30, 60, or 90 days. This decision aligns with former President Donald Trump's earlier stance, which saw him order a similar withdrawal during his first term. However, he later redeployed most forces to the region.
Currently, around 2,000 U.S. troops remain stationed in Syria, a significant increase from the standard deployment of 900. Their mission focuses on countering ISIS and supporting allies, such as the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces coalition. While Trump has expressed interest in a complete withdrawal, he recently dismissed claims about informing Israeli officials, stating, "We’ll make a determination on that." He added, "Syria is its own mess. They got enough messes over there. They don’t need us involved in every one."
The implications of this potential move extend beyond U.S. operations. Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed leadership after the fall of the Assad regime, has criticized the U.S. presence as illegal. Speaking to Reuters, al-Sharaa emphasized that no formal agreement exists between Syria and the United States. He stated, "In light of the new Syrian state, I believe any illegal military presence should not continue."
As the Pentagon finalizes its plans and officials weigh the consequences, this decision could reshape the geopolitical landscape of Syria and the broader Middle East. The prospect of withdrawal leaves questions about regional stability and U.S. foreign policy priorities.
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