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The United States is preparing to withdraw about 1,000 troops from Syria, bringing an end to a military mission that began more than a decade ago, according to a report published Wednesday.
Three U.S. officials familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal that American forces are expected to leave the country within the next two months. The departure would complete a full withdrawal, following U.S. troops’ earlier vacating several key positions this year.
The planned exit would mark the conclusion of a ground presence that started in 2014 under Operation Inherent Resolve, a coalition campaign launched to dismantle the Islamic State group.
Although ISIS lost its territorial control in 2019, U.S. forces remained in Syria to support partner forces, prevent a resurgence of the extremist group and counter Iran-backed militias operating in the region.
Earlier this year, U.S. troops withdrew from al-Tanf Garrison, a strategic outpost near the borders of Syria, Jordan and Iraq, as part of what officials described as a broader posture adjustment. U.S. Central Command said at the time that American forces would remain capable of targeting ISIS and promoting regional stability.
Officials told the Journal that the broader withdrawal is not directly tied to the recent buildup of U.S. naval and air assets in the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran over its nuclear program. Iranian leaders have warned they would retaliate against American forces in the region if the United States conducts airstrikes.
According to the report, the Trump administration concluded that maintaining a military presence in Syria is no longer necessary due to changes on the ground. Those shifts include the integration of Kurdish-led forces into the Syrian army following the 2024 ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently met with Syria’s foreign minister to discuss counterterrorism cooperation and efforts to maintain a fragile ceasefire.
The change follows the transfer of 150 ISIS detainees from a facility in Hasakah, Syria, to a secure site in Iraq. U.S. officials indicated in January that thousands more detainees could be relocated as part of ongoing security efforts. Syria also joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, a U.S.-led alliance aimed at coordinating international efforts against the group, in November.
