The United States has initiated a phased withdrawal of its forces from northeastern Syria, according to reports from The New York Times and The Associated Press, citing officials familiar with the decision.
American troops have been deployed in Syria since 2014, operating without formal approval from the Syrian government. Now, Washington is reportedly closing three of its eight bases in the region—Mission Support Site Green Village, M.S.S. Euphrates, and a smaller, unnamed location. The current plan includes reducing troop levels from around 2,000 to roughly 1,400 soldiers, though the AP suggests the number could dip below 1,000.
Commanders are expected to review the situation in about two months and may recommend further reductions. Sources told the Times that military leadership wants to retain no fewer than 500 personnel on the ground.
The remaining forces will continue supporting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in counterterrorism operations and in overseeing detention facilities. Reports suggest that the drawdown follows strategic recommendations from commanders and has been approved by both the Pentagon and US Central Command. Neither the White House nor the Pentagon has formally confirmed the withdrawal.
While official estimates in recent years placed the US presence in Syria at around 900 troops, the Pentagon revealed last year that approximately 2,000 personnel were actually stationed there.
The withdrawal comes amid significant changes in Syria’s political landscape. In December, President Bashar al-Assad was deposed by a coalition of armed factions led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), with Ahmed al-Sharaa taking over leadership. The power shift sparked unrest, including an Alawite minority uprising that resulted in hundreds of casualties.
Damascus and Moscow have long decried the American military presence as illegal. Syrian authorities accuse Washington of exploiting the country’s oil-rich northeast, where most US bases are located.
Former US President Donald Trump had previously criticized the prolonged American presence in Syria. Following Assad’s ouster, Trump reiterated his stance online, writing: “Syria is a mess, but is not our friend. We should have nothing to do with it.”
Despite the transition of power in Syria, Russia has reaffirmed its continued military and diplomatic support. During a meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Moscow’s commitment to Syria’s sovereignty and pledged cooperation with Qatar on humanitarian and stabilization efforts.
Russia’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, also stated that Russian forces would remain at their bases in Khmeimim and Tartus, operating under long-standing agreements signed with the former Syrian government. “We remain engaged with Syria’s transitional leadership and are maintaining our military presence as agreed,” Nebenzia said.
