WASHINGTON – In a significant strategic shift, the United States has initiated the complete withdrawal of all military personnel from Syrian territory, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing three senior U.S. officials. The decision marks the conclusion of America’s decade-long military engagement in the Middle Eastern nation.
The phased withdrawal commenced earlier this month with the evacuation of U.S. forces from two critical strategic positions: the Al-Shaddadi military base in northeastern Syria and the Al Tanf garrison, a strategically vital outpost situated at the convergence of Syrian, Jordanian, and Iraqi borders. These initial relocations represent the first phase of a comprehensive disengagement strategy.
Military analysts confirm that approximately 1,000 American troops remain stationed across various Syrian locations. The complete extraction of all personnel and equipment is projected to conclude within the next sixty days, effectively terminating the U.S. military footprint that began in 2015 primarily focused on counterterrorism operations against Islamic State forces.
The geopolitical implications of this withdrawal are drawing intense scrutiny from international observers. Regional powers including Russia, Iran, and Turkey are closely monitoring the development, which could potentially reshape security dynamics across the conflict-ridden region. The vacuum created by departing U.S. forces may trigger renewed strategic positioning among these regional actors.
Pentagon officials have emphasized that the withdrawal will be conducted with deliberate precision to ensure both troop safety and the preservation of regional stability. The Department of Defense is coordinating with allied forces in the region to manage the transition and maintain pressure on remaining terrorist elements.