U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has emphasized the necessity of maintaining American military presence in Syria to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State (ISIS). In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Austin warned that withdrawing U.S. troops too soon could allow ISIS to reestablish itself as a significant threat.
Austin stated that American forces are crucial in preventing ISIS from rebuilding its combat capabilities in Syria, especially following the recent toppling of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government. He noted that if U.S. forces withdraw too quickly, militants might “enter back into the mainstream,” potentially triggering a resurgence of violence.
In his comments, Austin referred to the need for the U.S. to keep a “foot on the throat of ISIS,” alluding to the group’s self-declared “caliphate” in parts of Iraq and Syria in the mid-2010s. The U.S. has worked with Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to ensure security, particularly around detention camps where thousands of ISIS fighters, including 2,000 deemed “very dangerous,” are held. Austin underscored the importance of maintaining control over these camps to prevent escapes or a return to ISIS’s violent activities.
While Austin noted that the SDF may eventually integrate into the Syrian military, which could place responsibility for the camps in Syrian hands, he stressed that for the moment, U.S. interests in the region must be protected. This has complicated U.S. relations with Turkey, which opposes the SDF due to its Kurdish components’ alleged links to the PKK, a separatist Kurdish group.
Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh clarified that there were no immediate plans to increase U.S. troop numbers in Syria, though the existing presence of about 900 U.S. soldiers remains focused on ensuring security in the region. Additional forces, such as contractors and special operations units, also operate in and out of Syria.
The future of U.S. policy on Syria will be shaped by the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Trump has previously called for a full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria, which he has characterized as a conflict that does not serve American interests. This stance has drawn both support and criticism, particularly regarding the fate of Kurdish allies in the region.
As the U.S. evaluates its position on Syria, a key issue will be the designation of groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a major faction in Syria’s opposition that has recently taken control of parts of Damascus. Despite its claims to have severed ties with al-Qaeda, HTS remains on the U.S. terrorist list. The incoming administration will decide whether to maintain or alter this designation, which could affect alliances on the ground and U.S. foreign policy in the region.
