Washington – US officials said Washington has delayed the withdrawal of its forces from Syria due to concerns about the Syrian interim government’s ability to maintain security and stability.
According to Al-Monitor, more than 900 American troops remain stationed across northeastern Syria, with the drawdown effort having been on hold for several months.
Officials noted that the transitional government in Damascus is facing major challenges in asserting control, prompting the US to pause plans to scale back its presence.
The delay comes as American forces in Iraq transfer responsibility for counter-ISIS operations to Iraqi security forces. On Tuesday, the Pentagon reaffirmed its commitment to reducing its combat role in Iraq.
A senior Pentagon official told Reuters that Iraq would now lead anti-ISIS efforts inside its territory, while the US and coalition partners focus on tackling ISIS cells in Syria. Most US personnel, he added, will be relocated to Iraq’s Kurdistan region to support operations across the border.
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In April, two US officials revealed that the administration was considering consolidating its forces in Syria rather than fully withdrawing. The plan could reduce troop levels to around 1,000, though officials stressed the numbers remain uncertain amid ongoing negotiations with Iran and a wider military buildup in the region.
The US maintains several key bases in northeastern Syria, including in al-Shaddadi and Khirab al-Jir in Hasakah province, operating alongside the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as part of the international coalition against ISIS.
