Wed Feb 05 18:33:53 UTC 2025: ## Uncertainty Clouds Future of US Troops in Syria After Assad’s Fall

**Ankara, Turkey** – The future of approximately 2,000 US troops stationed in Syria is shrouded in uncertainty following the toppling of President Bashar al-Assad and reports of a potential US withdrawal. While the Trump administration has not confirmed a timeline, NBC News, citing Pentagon sources, reported plans are being drawn up for a withdrawal within 30, 60, or 90 days.

President Trump, while not explicitly confirming the withdrawal plans, has previously expressed a desire to remove US troops from Syria, citing the country’s internal conflicts. This stance aligns with his “America First” foreign policy. However, previous attempts at withdrawal have faced internal opposition due to concerns over a resurgence of ISIS and the potential abandonment of Kurdish allies, specifically the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The SDF, a key US ally in the fight against ISIS, controls a significant portion of northeastern Syria and expressed alarm at the unconfirmed withdrawal reports. SDF spokesman Farhad Shami warned that ISIS and other groups would exploit a US departure, potentially reversing gains made in the fight against the terrorist organization. Concerns are further heightened by a reported freeze on foreign aid to Kurdish forces guarding ISIS prisoners, potentially increasing instability.

The recent political upheaval in Syria, with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Ahmed al-Sharaa assuming interim leadership, has added another layer of complexity. Al-Sharaa’s recent meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara signaled a shift in regional alliances. Erdogan, who has long opposed Assad and considers some Kurdish groups, including those within the SDF, as terrorists, vowed increased Turkish involvement in combating both ISIS and Kurdish fighters. Al-Sharaa echoed this commitment, suggesting a rejection of Kurdish autonomy in northeastern Syria and a call for the SDF to disarm.

This evolving situation leaves the fate of the US troops, and the stability of the region, hanging in the balance. The potential withdrawal, coupled with the shifting alliances and unresolved conflicts, raises significant concerns about a potential resurgence of ISIS and renewed conflict in Syria.

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