US Friends and Foes in Syria Respond to Trump Reducing Troops

The decision made by President Donald Trump to decrease the presence of U.S. troops in Syria has received mixed reactions from local factions. The move has sparked concerns among U.S. partners who feel that threats still exist, while critics argue that the reduction is not substantial enough.

Following months of speculation about Trump’s intentions to withdraw troops from Syria, the Pentagon announced plans to initiate a “consolidation” of the U.S. military presence in the country. This process includes closing three bases and reducing the number of troops to less than 1,000, a number closer to the deployment before former President Joe Biden increased it to 2,500 personnel in December.

The U.S. military presence in Syria is divided between the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, led by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and a garrison in the southeastern desert region of Al-Tanf, manned by the Syrian Free Army rebel militia.

While U.S.-backed groups like the SDF and Syrian Free Army have expressed their continued support for the American presence, questions remain regarding the objectives of U.S. troops in the country, as their presence is viewed as an illegal occupation by the new rulers and their supporters.

Sinam Mohamad, representing the SDF’s political wing, emphasized the importance of U.S. troops in combating the threat posed by the Islamic State militant group. Despite ongoing concerns, the fate of prisons holding ISIS fighters and their families remains uncertain as the SDF integrates with the new government led by Syrian Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Some factions, like the Syrian Islamic Resistance Front Uli al-Baas, are skeptical of the U.S. drawdown, believing it reflects a broader American strategy rather than a significant shift in policy. This group, along with others, accuses the U.S. of seeking to maintain chaos in Syria to serve its interests in the region.

While some factions oppose the U.S. military presence, others like the SDF and Syrian Free Army continue to work with American troops despite differing opinions on the situation in Syria. The dynamics in the region are complex, with various groups vying for control and influence as the conflict continues to evolve.