US military to slash troops in Syria to under 1,000

The U.S. military is planning to significantly reduce its troop presence in Syria, aiming to cut the number of personnel by half to fewer than 1,000 soldiers in the coming months. This announcement was made by Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell, who indicated that the current force of approximately 2,000 troops stationed mainly in the northeast of the country is part of efforts to combat the resurgence of the Islamic State (ISIS).

The decision to consolidate the U.S. military footprint in Syria has been directed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as part of a strategy within the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve. Parnell emphasized that the drawdown will be done deliberately and based on conditions on the ground, ensuring that U.S. Central Command remains prepared to conduct operations against any residual ISIS elements and address other terrorist threats in the region.

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In parallel to this troop reduction, the U.S. has strengthened its military presence in the Middle East by deploying additional aircraft, including B-2 bombers and warships, along with air defense systems.

Additionally, the geopolitical landscape remains complex, with former President Trump commenting on Iran's nuclear ambitions, suggesting that the nation is deliberately delaying negotiations with the U.S. regarding its nuclear program and warning of potential military action if it continues this course.

In Syria, the Islamist-led government, which emerged after the ousting of Bashar Assad in December, is working to re-establish the country's relationships both regionally and internationally.