Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Reuters: The Rapid Support Forces announced that they have taken over the headquarters of the Sudanese Armed Forces in al-Fasher.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Qlailah, Southern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

Pentagon announces major US troop withdrawal from Syria

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies + News websites
  • 19 Apr 2025 10:34
  • 3 Shares
5 Min Read

The Pentagon has announced a significant drawdown of US occupation troops in Syria, reducing forces from around 2,000 to fewer than 1,000 in the coming months.

Listen
  • x
  • US occupation soldiers drive a Bradley fighting vehicles during a joint exercise with Syrian Democratic Forces at the countryside of Deir Ezzor in northeastern Syria, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. .(AP Photo/Baderkhan Ahmad)US occupation soldiers drive a Bradley fighting vehicles during a joint exercise with Syrian Democratic Forces at the countryside of Deir Ezzor in northeastern Syria, on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. (AP)

The Pentagon has confirmed plans to significantly reduce the US occupation forces in Syria, lowering troop levels to fewer than 1,000 in the coming months.

Speaking to reporters, Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell announced that the military “will consolidate its presence in Syria over the coming weeks and months,” describing the reduction as part of a “deliberate and conditions-based process.” The decision will bring the total number of deployed personnel to under 1,000 US forces.

At present, approximately 2,000 US occupation forces are stationed across various bases in northeastern Syria.

Strategic consolidation under Operation Inherent Resolve

The troop reduction will be conducted under the framework of Operation Inherent Resolve, which the US sells as a campaign against ISIS. According to defense officials, the remaining forces will be consolidated at select strategic locations, allowing the military to maintain flexibility while streamlining its footprint.

The drawdown is being overseen by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and is aligned with broader strategic goals, including shifting resources while continuing to monitor "extremist threats".

Meanwhile, the US military alleged that it will remain committed to combat operations against ISIS. Parnell emphasized that US Central Command remains fully capable of launching strikes against remaining 'militant targets' in Syria.

“CENTCOM will remain poised to continue strikes against what is left of ISIS in Syria,” Parnell claimed, adding that operational readiness remains a top priority even as troop numbers decrease.

US forces will reportedly continue to collaborate with the new regime forces in northeast Syria.

Related News

Ceasefire violated again in Suwaida, Southern Syria

Protesters in Sweida demand 'right to self determination'

The wider context

In December 2024, the Pentagon acknowledged a significant and previously undisclosed increase in the number of US occupation troops in Syria, raising questions about Washington’s long-term military objectives in the country. The revelation came amid renewed scrutiny of US activities in Syria, including reports of smuggling stolen Syrian oil and covert operations targeting the government of then-President Bashar al-Assad.

At the time, Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder confirmed that approximately 2,000 US forces are currently stationed in Syria — more than double the previously stated figure of 900. Ryder claimed that the additional forces, drawn from both conventional and special operations units, had been deployed for “months” to support operations against ISIS. He described the troop increase as “temporary,” without providing a timeline for reduction.

The first US military deployment in Syria began in late 2015, officially under the pretext of combating ISIS. However, the nature and scope of the mission have evolved significantly since then.

Although US officials continue to claim that the troops are present to “rid the region of terrorists,” recent events and reporting suggest that the US occupation in Syria is aimed at securing control over strategic resources and maintaining influence in key areas.

In parallel to the troop increase, US forces smuggled a new consignment of stolen Syrian oil into northern Iraq back in April 2024. According to reports, a 45-tanker convoy transported crude from the al-Jazeera oil fields via the illegal al-Mahmoudia crossing, underlining long-standing accusations that US troops are engaged in systematic looting of Syrian natural resources.

The then-Syrian Foreign Ministry estimated the financial toll of such activities at over $25.9 billion in direct losses and more than $86 billion in indirect damages.

Stealing Syrian oil

Adding to the contention surrounding the US illegal occupation of Syrian regions, a report by The Telegraph in late 2024 revealed that the US had trained and armed the so-called Revolutionary Commando Army (RCA), a group composed of defectors from the Syrian Arab Army. The RCA was positioned to lead an offensive aimed at removing the Assad government, with US Special Forces reportedly briefing them just before the December 8 overthrow of the Syrian regime.

The RCA operated from the al-Tanf region, a strategic area near the Syria-Jordan-Iraq border. US occupation troops maintain a base there, citing anti-ISIS operations as their mission. However, analysts argue that the location allows Washington to project power and maintain leverage in southern Syria.

Aside from oil smuggling, US bases in eastern Syria have come under fire from local resistance. In November, a rocket strike targeted the US occupation base at the Conoco gas field in Deir Ezzor, reportedly in retaliation for US aggression on the cities of al-Mayadin and al-Bukamal.

Former US President Donald Trump once openly acknowledged the motive behind maintaining American forces in Syria: “We’re keeping [Syria’s] oil. We have the oil. The oil is secure. We left troops behind only for the oil.” His statement reinforced longstanding suspicions that US occupation forces in Syria serve broader strategic and economic purposes, including the destabilization of the previous Syrian government.

Read more: US shifts Syria strategy to curb Iran, not rebuild nation: WashPo

  • Syria
  • United States
  • US occupation forces
  • Pentagon

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Undated photo of Hanwha Ocean’s Goeje Shipyard in South Korea (Hanwha Ocean)
Politics

China counters US maritime bloc with sanctions on Hanwha Ocean

Catherine Connolly speaks after being after being elected as the new President of Ireland at Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Connolly wins Irish presidency in blow to political establishment

Buildings destroyed during the Israeli air and ground offensive are seen in the Al-Shati camp, in Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel's' post-ceasefire demolitions in Gaza violate agreement: Hamas

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran’s Araghchi: Our nuclear bomb is resilience, not weapons

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS