Fri Apr 18 00:02:43 UTC 2025: ## US to Withdraw 600 Troops from Syria, Leaving Fewer Than 1,000
**Washington, D.C. – April 18, 2025** – The United States will withdraw approximately 600 troops from Syria, reducing its presence to fewer than 1,000, a U.S. official confirmed Thursday. The withdrawal will bring troop levels back to their pre-2023 levels, following a period of escalation in response to regional conflicts.
The remaining troops will continue working with Kurdish allies to counter the Islamic State group (ISIS) and prevent Iranian-backed militias from destabilizing the region. While the U.S. had increased its troop presence to over 2,000 following the October 2023 Hamas attacks in Israel, this reduction reflects a reassessment of the situation following the December 2024 flight of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and subsequent changes in the regional landscape.
The decision reverses a previous policy of maintaining a larger presence to counter ISIS resurgence, Iranian influence, and protect U.S. interests. The withdrawal comes despite concerns about ISIS reconstituting itself and the ongoing threat posed by Iranian-backed militias. The U.S. had previously faced opposition to a full withdrawal from Syria, particularly following the resignation of former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis during the Trump administration. The reduction was first reported by The New York Times.
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