Citing an unnamed U.S. official, AP reported on April 17 that the U.S. will withdraw about 600 troops from Syria, leaving fewer than 1,000. The U.S. had maintained about 900 troops in Syria, supposedly to fight ISIS alongside the forces of the separatist Kurdish autonomous state, but had boosted that number up to about 2,000 following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The withdrawal reportedly brings the U.S. troop presence back to the pre-Oct. 7 level.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed th next day that U.S. troops were being “consolidated” in Syria. Defense Secretary Hegseth “directed the consolidation of U.S. forces in Syria under Combined Joint Task Force—Operation Inherent Resolve to select locations in Syria,” he said in a statement. “This consolidation reflects the significant steps we have made toward degrading ISIS’ appeal and operational capability regionally and globally. This deliberate and conditions-based process will bring the U.S. footprint in Syria down to less than a thousand U.S. forces in the coming months.”
He promised, however, that “As this consolidation takes place, consistent with President Trump’s commitment to peace through strength, U.S. Central Command will remain poised to continue strikes against the remnants of ISIS in Syria. We will also work closely with capable and willing Coalition partners to maintain pressure on ISIS and respond to any other terrorist threats that arise.”
Parnell’s statement does not specify which of the eight bases the U.S. operates in Syria. However, a U.S. defense official told The War Zone that U.S. forces will be leaving the Mission Support Site Green Village and Mission Support Site Euphrates, both in or near the oil fields in Deir Ezzor province.
