US to withdraw remaining 1,000 troops from Syria within two months

2026-02-19 - 08:32

The United States has decided to withdraw its remaining approximately 1,000 troops from Syria over the next two months, according to a Wednesday report by The Wall Street Journal citing US officials. The decision follows gradual drawdowns over recent months and reflects Washington's assessment that a military presence is no longer necessary. Mission Completion Cited The report states Washington concluded that the near-complete dissolution of the YPG/SDF and its subsequent integration into the Syrian state structure has rendered the original US mission—fighting ISIS via local partners—effectively over. The US military already finalized its pullout from the Al-Tanf garrison, a strategic outpost near the Syria-Jordan-Iraq border, and from the Al-Shaddadi base in northeastern Syria earlier this month. Strategic Context and Warnings Officials emphasized the withdrawal was not linked to current US naval and air deployments aimed at potential strikes on Iran if nuclear talks collapse, though Iran has warned it would target American forces in response to any US airstrikes. A senior US official noted Syrian government forces are now taking over counterterrorism efforts, with US forces retaining capability to respond to any ISIS threats. However, some US and foreign officials warned a reduced American presence could risk ceasefire breakdown and allow ISIS regrouping, while others noted remaining troops primarily served as a political signal rather than substantial counterterrorism force.