The United States is preparing to withdraw most of its remaining troops from Syria in the coming months, marking a significant shift in its Middle East strategy as regional tensions with Iran intensify.
A senior White House official confirmed that roughly 1,000 American forces stationed in Syria will leave under a conditions-based transition plan. The official said the Syrian government has agreed to take primary responsibility for counterterrorism operations, reducing the need for a large-scale US military presence.
US troops have operated in Syria since 2015 as part of a campaign against the Islamic State (IS). Two American bases al-Tanf in southern Syria and al-Shaddadi in the north-east were vacated earlier this year as part of the drawdown.
The move comes as President Donald Trump strengthens America’s broader military posture in the Middle East. US officials have confirmed the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln near Iran, accompanied by guided missile destroyers and fighter jets. The USS Gerald R Ford, the world’s largest warship, is also heading to the region.
Senior national security officials said that US forces could be ready for potential strikes on Iran within days, although no final decision has been announced.
The Syria withdrawal follows major political changes after the collapse of the Assad government in 2024 and a weakened IS presence. The Trump administration has since expanded diplomatic engagement with Damascus, including a White House visit by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa the first by a Syrian leader in US history.
While security conditions have improved, challenges remain. In December, a translator and two Iowa National Guard members were killed in an IS-linked ambush in Palmyra. The Pentagon responded with targeted raids under Operation Hawkeye Strike.
Officials stress that although the US footprint in Syria is shrinking, Washington remains prepared to respond swiftly to emerging threats across the region.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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