The U.S. may be preparing to end its military mission in Syria.
According to The Wall Street Journal, U.S. officials are considering a complete withdrawal of American troops from Syria as conditions on the ground evolve.
The discussions come as Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government has consolidated control over parts of northeastern Syria, altering the strategic environment that has kept U.S. forces in the region since 2014.
A Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment on hypothetical future operations when asked about the report.
The United States currently maintains about 1,500 troops in Syria, primarily in the northeast, where they have supported counter-ISIS operations and partnered with local forces.
Any move toward a full withdrawal would build on drawdowns and base closures in recent months as U.S. forces have consolidated positions and reduced their footprint.
Influential hawks in Congress, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, voiced strong concerns about the rapidly unfolding developments, as The Hill reports:
“Wow, if true, ISIS would love that. A small footprint of Americans working with locals is an insurance policy against the reemergence of ISIS and an attack on our homeland,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a defense hawk, Thursday on social platform X. “
“I believe it’s time for a new approach and new eyes on Syria,” Graham said. “I am confident that many senators – on both sides of the aisle – share my concerns about the implications of withdrawal when Syria is so unstable.”
A defense official told The Hill late Thursday that in order to protect operational security and ensure the safety of U.S. troops, “we do not discuss troop numbers, location, or movement.”
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the former chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, echoed Graham’s concerns, saying a limited U.S. presence in Syria would help keep ISIS in check.
A full exit would mark a major policy shift after more than a decade of U.S. military involvement. Officials are reportedly weighing the potential consequences for regional stability, the future of the Syrian Democratic Forces, and the fight against the seemingly implacable remnants of ISIS.
READ NEXT: The Inside Story: Trump Strikes ‘Framework For Future Deal’ On Greenland
Sponsored
George Soros is pouring billions into America to push radical, anti-American ideas and undermine our rule of law. His influence has fueled soft-on-crime prosecutors, drug chaos, and a generation being taught to hate this country. Hungary passed a “Stop Soros” law to fight back. Congress must do the same — NOW. Sign the petition to protect America before it’s too late.
i heard Syria was Bibi’s next request/conquest for Greater Israel
That would be a horrible mistake. ISIS WILL rise again. Why are we making so many international moves that seemingly have no ending? We squeeze the hell out of Iran and won’t finish the job and allow the tyrants to survive and continue their dangerous presence in the world. We bring Russia to the point of economic disaster with the end of Putin in sight and yet keep throwing him lifelines and pity. Venezuela’s dictator is removed and yet the governing party is left to survive and probably return to their evil ways. We are closely related to Europe and yet we threaten them over Greenland, for heaven’s sake, without a clue of outcome. Nothing gets decided. We can’t seem to bring ourselves to make any permanent changes. We haven’t done so since we accepted Japan’s surrender in 1945. Korea was a wash, Vietnam solved nothing, Afghanistan was a waste. Now there might not even be a “we” as leftist interests are pressing for a civil war that will have no happy ending and may break this country up into separate entities, which may very well be the one permanent solution that comes out of all this.