Capitals: Agencies
The United States is preparing to reduce its troop presence in Syria by nearly half in the coming weeks, Reuters reported, citing two American sources.
The number of American soldiers in Syria is estimated at around 2,000, most of them in the northeast of the country, where they are working to "prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State," according to Washington.
An official confirmed to the agency that the Pentagon is preparing to consolidate its forces in Syria and reduce them to only about 1,000 troops, but the exact numbers are still unknown. He also expressed doubt that Washington's move is imminent, especially in light of President Donald Trump's negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran over its nuclear program. According to the Brussels-based Euronews website, the US military presence in the Middle East has been receiving significant attention from some US security figures for some time. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is conducting a comprehensive review in this regard.
Concerns have emerged that the US attacks on Yemen and the buildup of aircraft carriers and fighter jets at various military bases in the region, most recently the B-2 in Diego Garcia, could deplete the US military and affect its readiness for a potential confrontation with China.
Talk of Washington's desire to reduce its military presence in Syria is not new. Last February, NBC News quoted two sources from the US Department of Defense as saying that Washington was developing plans to withdraw all its forces from Damascus.
However, the withdrawal, if implemented, could raise concerns among some parties that remain concerned about the performance of the new Islamist rulers, including Israel, which has repeatedly expressed its fear of expanding Turkish influence.
Previously, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation revealed that senior White House officials conveyed a message to Tel Aviv indicating President Donald Trump's desire to In withdrawing part of his forces from Syria.
The commission explained that the withdrawal of US forces would affect the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the expansion of Turkish influence. However, the Kurdish-led forces signed an agreement with Damascus last month to integrate governing bodies and security forces with the central government.
It is noteworthy that the Republican leader maintained a good relationship with Turkey during his first term, despite the tense political atmosphere that accompanied Ankara's intervention in the Syrian war and its clash with the Kurds.
In 2019, Trump decided to withdraw US forces from northern Syria, a move that angered Democrats, who accused him of allowing a Turkish incursion into the country. This move prompted Defense Secretary James Mattis to resign in protest, calling the decision a "grave strategic mistake."