The Pentagon will reduce the U.S. military presence in Syria in the coming weeks, citing significant progress against ISIS. On April 18, spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a "planned consolidation" that will lower troop numbers to fewer than 1,000.
The U.S. has maintained forces in Syria since 2014 under Operation Inherent Resolve to combat ISIS, which once controlled large areas in Syria and Iraq. Although previously reporting around 900 troops, actual U.S. presence rose to roughly 2,000 by late 2024, due to temporary deployments amid broader regional tensions.
“This move reflects the success in degrading ISIS’ reach,” Parnell said. “U.S. forces will remain ready to strike remnants of ISIS and support coalition partners.”
The drawdown comes amid significant upheaval in Syria. In late 2024, rebel coalition Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad, prompting the U.S. to ease its stance on the group. Its leader, Ahmed al Sharaa (formerly Abu Mohammad al-Jolani), now serves as interim president in Damascus.
The U.S. has since withdrawn a bounty on Sharaa and engaged diplomatically with his new government. The Trump administration also endorsed plans to integrate the Syrian Democratic Forces into the transitional government.
Meanwhile, Israel has expanded its presence in Syria’s southwest, with Defense Minister Israel Katz announcing an indefinite military presence in areas of Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza secured over the past 18 months.
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