- The Pentagon is drawing up plans for a full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria. NBC News broke the story after speaking to two defense officials.
- The defense officials told the news outlet the plans could take up to 90 days.
- The report comes as President Donald Trump expressed an apparent desire to withdraw troops from Syria on Thursday, Jan. 30.
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The Department of Defense (DOD) is drawing up plans to pull all U.S. troops out of Syria, according to what two defense officials told NBC News on Tuesday, Feb. 4. President Donald Trump has recently shown a desire to withdraw service members from the country.
On Jan. 30, Trump said, “We’re not involved in Syria. Syria’s its own mess. They’ve got enough messes over there. They don’t need us involved.”
Officials told NBC News that the Pentagon is developing plans for a full withdrawal of all forces, which could take up to 90 days.
What is Trump’s history with Syria?
This would not be the first time Trump has tried to withdraw troops from Syria. In 2019, Trump ordered then-Defense Secretary James Mattis to pull troops from the country. Mattis pushed back against the order and resigned in protest.
How many troops are in Syria?
In December 2024, the Pentagon revealed that there are about 2,000 troops deployed in Syria, up from the roughly 900 service members the military had claimed for years.
The Pentagon said the additional 1,100 troops were “temporary rotational forces” deployed anywhere from 30 to 90 days at a time. Officials said the 900 represented the “core” troops stationed in Syria for one-year deployments.
What is the U.S. mission in Syria?
The U.S. said its mission in Syria is to dismantle the Islamic State and build on partnerships with regional coalitions to ensure ISIS doesn’t reestablish a presence in the region.
Why are defense officials warning against a withdrawal?
The U.S. Central Control performed a precision strike in Northwest Syria on Thursday, Jan. 30, targeting the leader of an al-Qaida affiliate.
Defense officials warn that withdrawing U.S. troops would force Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to abandon security efforts at more than two dozen prisons and camps. Those prisons and camps are home to about 9,000 ISIS fighters, and some women and children as well.
What could a withdrawal mean for Syrian Democratic Forces?
It should be noted that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are not the same as Syrian government forces, which recently saw a coup.
Neither troops loyal to ousted dictator Bashar Assad nor those loyal to Syria’s new regime are currently helping provide security at ISIS prison facilities and camps for refugees.
Additionally, the SDF said it needs U.S. and allied support to keep those facilities running. Defense officials warn that without U.S. support, ISIS fighters will likely go free.
