The United States has withdrawn approximately 500 troops from Syria in recent weeks, reducing its military presence in the war-torn country by nearly a quarter, according to two U.S. defense officials.

The move, part of a broader Pentagon consolidation strategy, marks a significant shift in U.S. military posture in northeastern Syria.

Three American military installations have either been closed or transferred to the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a group led by the YPG, widely regarded as the Syrian affiliate of the PKK, a designated terrorist organization by the U.S., Türkiye, and the European Union. Mission Support Site Green Village has been shuttered, while Mission Support Site Euphrates has been handed over to SDF control. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that U.S. forces also vacated two key bases in Deir ez-Zor province—the al-Omar oil field and the Conoco gas field—central to operations in the energy-rich region.

The withdrawal, which began on May 18, intensified over the past 48 hours, with convoys of armored vehicles and logistical equipment exiting under heavy coalition air cover. This redeployment is one of the most significant reductions of U.S. forces in Syria since the territorial defeat of Daesh (ISIS) in 2019.

In April, the Pentagon announced plans to reduce its troop presence from roughly 2,000 to under 1,000. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell described the move as a “strategic realignment” following successes against Daesh. “Recognizing the success the United States has had against Daesh, including its 2019 territorial defeat under President Trump, the Secretary of Defense directed the consolidation of U.S. forces in Syria,” Parnell said. A senior defense official called the drawdown “safe, deliberate, and conditions-based,” with troops redeployed to undisclosed regional locations.

U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, confirmed on June 2 during an interview with Türkiye’s NTV that the U.S. aims to reduce its military footprint to a single base. “We’ve gone from eight bases to five, then three. We will eventually go to one,” Barrack said.

Despite the drawdown, U.S. officials emphasized their commitment to targeting Daesh remnants and maintaining regional stability. “U.S. Central Command will remain poised to continue strikes against the remnants of Daesh,” Parnell added.

The withdrawal has drawn criticism from Türkiye, which views U.S. support for the SDF/YPG as a threat to its national security due to the group’s ties to the PKK. As the U.S. scales back, questions linger about the future of SDF-controlled territories and America’s role in Syria’s complex conflict. (ILKHA)