US Plans Complete Military Exit From Syria, Says Report

Last week, the U.S. military announced it had finalized its exit from a key base in Syria, transferring control to Syrian forces—a move seen as another indication of improving U.S.-Syrian relations that may pave the way for a broader American withdrawal.

A senior US official said on Wednesday that some US troops are leaving Syria as part of a “deliberate and conditional transition.”

The Wall Street Journal reported that the US is withdrawing approximately 1,000 troops from Syria.

The senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “US forces are prepared to respond to any ISIS threat that may arise in the region, as we support partners’ efforts to prevent the terrorist network from resurfacing.”

The official added, “However, a large-scale US presence in Syria is no longer necessary, as the Syrian government is willing to assume primary responsibility for addressing the terrorist threat within its borders.”

Last week, the US military said it had completed its withdrawal from a strategic base in Syria, handing it over to the Syrian army. This is a new sign of strengthening US-Syrian relations, which could lead to the US withdrawing even more troops.