Pentagon defers to White House on reports of US withdrawal from Syria

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
29 Jan 2025 20:15

While Trump has previously pushed for troop withdrawals, past announcements have failed to result in a complete disengagement.

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The Department of Defense logo is seen on the wall in the Press Briefing room at the Pentagon on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 in Washington (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

A Pentagon spokesperson declined to confirm reports regarding a potential withdrawal of US forces from Syria, referring all inquiries to the White House.

"On Syria, we would refer you to the White House," the spokesperson stated in a response to RIA Novosti on Wednesday.

The White House has yet to issue a response to media inquiries on the matter.

Large-Scale Withdrawal?

According to Anadolu Agency, which cited "Israel's" national broadcaster Kan, senior officials in Washington allegedly informed their Israeli counterparts that President Donald Trump intends to remove "thousands of US troops" from Syria.

While Trump has previously pushed for troop withdrawals, past announcements have failed to result in a complete disengagement. In December 2018, Trump declared that ISIS had been defeated and ordered a full withdrawal, a move that was strongly opposed by US military leaders and regional allies, ultimately resulting in only a partial reduction in troop numbers.

Similarly, in October 2019, Trump ordered another withdrawal following a call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, allowing Turkey to launch an offensive against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)—a key US ally in what Washington claims is the fight against ISIS. This decision was criticized for abandoning Kurdish partners but also exposed the US military's strategic use of ISIS as a pretext for maintaining its occupation in Syria.

US Forces in Syria: Controlling Oil, Not Fighting Terrorism

Despite official claims that US troops remain in Syria to combat ISIS, their real objective has been the continued looting of Syrian oil resources in the north. Over the years, reports have confirmed that US forces and affiliated militias have systematically transported stolen Syrian oil out of the country, depriving Damascus of a key economic resource.

The Pentagon now acknowledges that approximately 2,000 US troops are stationed in Syria, double the previously disclosed figure of 900. A December 2024 report revealed that the actual troop presence had been underreported, likely for operational security reasons. This revelation supports previous claims that US deployments in Syria have been obscured to maintain military control over key energy-rich areas.

Former US Special Envoy for Syria, Jim Jeffrey, admitted in 2020 that officials deliberately concealed the true troop numbers to continue operations under a false narrative.

Israeli Concerns Over a Potential US Withdrawal

Israeli officials are reportedly alarmed by the prospect of a US withdrawal, fearing that it would reduce Washington's strategic influence in Syria and embolden regional Resistance groups. According to Suleiman Maswadeh, a political affairs commentator for "Israel's" Kan channel, discussions over the potential impact of a US pullout have been ongoing within Israeli security and political circles.

Although the number of US troops in Syria may not be large, their strategic positioning and operational influence extend far beyond their size. Israeli officials argue that Washington’s military presence serves as a key instrument in shaping Syria’s stance toward "Israel".

"These forces have a strong impact on Syria's behavior toward Israel," Maswadeh stated.

Another major concern for "Israel" and Kurdish forces is that a withdrawal could clear the way for Turkey to launch a new military offensive against Kurdish-held areas in northeastern Syria, further destabilizing the region.

Seeking Stability

Meanwhile, in Syria, Ahmad al-Sharaa, leader of Syria's new administration, has signaled a willingness to restore previous agreements and stabilize the region.

In recent talks with Qatar's Prime Minister, he proposed the return of United Nations peacekeepers to buffer zones and called on "Israel" to halt airstrikes on Syrian territory.

So far, there has been no official response from "Israel" regarding al-Sharaa's proposal. However, Damascus has reiterated its demand for an end to "Israel's" repeated violations of Syrian sovereignty.