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3. U.S. Weighs Full Military Withdrawal From Syria

The United States is considering a full military withdrawal from Syria, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal, which said Washington is reassessing its presence amid rapidly changing conditions on the ground.

The newspaper reported that internal discussions within the Trump administration are exploring multiple scenarios to reduce, or entirely end, the U.S. military mission in Syria, although no final decision has been made and deliberations remain ongoing.

SDF Setbacks Drive Strategic Reassessment

According to the Wall Street Journal, the review has been accelerated by recent battlefield setbacks suffered by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Washington’s primary local partner in the fight against the Islamic State group.

The reported weakening of the SDF has prompted U.S. defense planners to question the long-term viability of maintaining American troops in northeastern Syria, particularly if local forces are no longer able to secure territory or safeguard detention facilities holding thousands of suspected ISIS fighters.

Close Encounters With Syrian Government Forces

The report said the deteriorating security environment has increased risks for U.S. troops, with Syrian government forces moving dangerously close to American positions during operations against Kurdish fighters.

Officials cited by the newspaper said U.S. forces shot down at least one drone near an American installation, while Syrian troops reportedly carried out attacks on SDF positions inside a base hosting U.S. personnel within a 24-hour period, incidents that underscored the growing danger of unintended escalation.

Detainee Transfers Raise ISIS Concerns

The Wall Street Journal also reported that the United States has begun transferring thousands of detainees from SDF-run facilities to Iraq, amid fears that shifting front lines and weakened security could enable mass escapes.

Around 7,000 detainees have reportedly been moved out of roughly 9,000 held, including former ISIS fighters and family members, as Syrian government forces advance toward areas that previously housed detention centers.

U.S. officials are said to be weighing how any reduction or withdrawal of troops would affect counter-terrorism efforts and the long-term containment of ISIS remnants.

Regional and Political Calculations

Beyond immediate security concerns, the deliberations reportedly factor in broader U.S. strategy in the Middle East, including relations with regional allies and long-standing tensions with Turkey, which has consistently opposed U.S. cooperation with Kurdish forces it views as linked to the PKK.

The Wall Street Journal emphasized that discussions remain fluid and tied to evolving political and military assessments, with officials weighing the costs of maintaining an exposed footprint against the risks of disengagement.

A Decade-Long Mission in Syria

The U.S. military presence in Syria began in 2014 as part of an international coalition formed to combat the Islamic State group, with American forces working alongside the SDF. At its peak, the mission focused on defeating ISIS’s territorial control, securing detention facilities holding thousands of suspected militants, and supporting local security in northeastern Syria.

The United States currently maintains approximately 1,500 troops in the country, primarily stationed in the northeast. Their mandate includes counter-ISIS operations, intelligence support, and the protection of key infrastructure and detention sites. Any decision to withdraw or reduce forces would directly affect the management of ISIS detainees, the balance of power between local actors and the Syrian government, and the security landscape along Syria’s northern borders.