US preparing to withdraw all 1,000 troops from Syria, ending decade-long mission

2026-02-19 - 04:52

The United States is preparing to withdraw all approximately 1,000 troops from Syria, according to US media reports citing unnamed American officials, potentially ending a decade-long military presence in the country. The withdrawal process is reportedly underway and expected to be completed within two months, marking a significant shift in Washington's Middle East posture. Bases Handed Over to Syrian Forces The reported withdrawal follows recent US military transfers of key installations to Syrian government forces, including the Shaddadi base in Hasakeh countryside and the strategic Al-Tanf garrison located at the intersection of Syrian, Iraqi, and Jordanian borders. These handovers have fueled speculation that Washington is preparing to terminate its military footprint in Syria entirely, consolidating forces and equipment ahead of a full exit. Assessment of Changing Conditions Administration officials emphasized that the decision is not linked to current tensions with Iran but rather reflects a strategic reassessment of conditions on the ground. According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration has concluded that the PKK/YPG presence has been largely dismantled and that integration of these forces into President Ahmed al-Sharaa's Syrian army is proceeding, rendering the US military mission no longer necessary. The assessment suggests Washington views the original objectives that prompted intervention as substantially achieved. End of a Decade-Long Presence US forces first entered Syria in 2015 under the Obama administration, initially focused on combating Daesh/ISIS alongside local partners. The mission evolved over subsequent years to include countering Iranian influence, supporting Kurdish-led forces, and maintaining pressure on remaining terrorist elements. A full withdrawal would represent a major policy shift, aligning with President Trump's longstanding skepticism of foreign military entanglements and his campaign promises to bring American troops home from lengthy overseas deployments. The move would also fundamentally alter the security dynamics in northeastern Syria, where US presence has served as both a deterrent and a source of tension with regional actors.