After years on the ground in Syria, the U.S. may be pulling out entirely. What does this mean for ISIS, the Kurds — and Iran?
The United States is preparing to withdraw all of its roughly 1,000 troops from Syria over the next two months, according to multiple U.S. media reports, marking a significant shift in Washington’s military posture in the Middle East.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the planned pullout, citing unnamed officials who said the decision follows the Syrian government’s consolidation of control across much of the country. Television network CBS also reported the withdrawal plan, referencing U.S. officials familiar with the matter.
American forces have already vacated several key installations, including bases at al-Tanf and al-Shadadi, which had been central to the U.S.-led coalition’s campaign against ISIS. Those positions were long viewed as strategic footholds in eastern Syria, particularly near the Iraqi border.
The move comes amid broader political shifts inside Syria. After the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, Washington has cautiously engaged with Syria’s new authorities. At the same time, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces — once a crucial U.S. partner in combating ISIS — have pledged to integrate into the Syrian state structure.
Thousands of ISIS detainees previously held in Syrian facilities have been transferred to more secure sites in Iraq, according to the reports, reducing one of Washington’s major security concerns tied to its presence.
The planned withdrawal unfolds against a backdrop of rising tensions elsewhere in the region. The United States has recently increased its military deployments near Iran, where officials have warned of retaliatory action if attacked. Separate reports indicate Washington is positioning assets that could be used for potential strikes against Iranian targets, though President Donald Trump has not publicly finalized any decision.
The Pentagon has not officially confirmed the Syria withdrawal plan and did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
If carried out, the exit would close a chapter in a military mission that began during the fight against ISIS and evolved into a complex balancing act involving Kurdish allies, regional rivals, and shifting alliances across a fractured Syrian landscape.
