US Prepares to Withdraw Significant Number of Troops from Syria Amid Regional Tensions

Washington D.C. The United States is preparing to withdraw a large number of its remaining troops from Syria in the coming months, according to a report by the BBC, citing a senior White House official.

The official stated that the Syrian government has agreed to take the lead in fighting terrorism within its borders, and a US military presence 'at this level' is no longer necessary. US troops have been in Syria since 2015 as part of the counter-terrorism campaign to curb the influence of the Islamic State (ISIS).

This decision comes after US President Donald Trump increased the military presence in the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran. Amid growing tensions with Iran, the US is further strengthening its military presence in the Middle East region. The US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed near Iran, accompanied by guided-missile destroyer warships and dozens of fighter jets.

Similarly, the USS Gerald R. Ford, considered the world's largest aircraft carrier, has also reportedly been sent to the Middle East. The vessel is expected to reach the region within the next three weeks.

According to CBS News, the BBC's US affiliate, senior national security officials indicated that US forces would be on standby for a potential strike against Iran as early as Saturday, if necessary, though President Trump has not made a final decision.

Meanwhile, US forces in Syria had already withdrawn from the southern Al-Tanf garrison and the northeastern Al-Shaddadi base camp earlier this year. It is reported that the security situation in Syria has improved following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad-led government and the weakening of the Islamic State in 2024.

Following this, the Trump administration has been attempting to strengthen diplomatic ties with Damascus and increase cooperation with Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara. President Shara became the first Syrian leader to meet with Trump at the White House last November.