US considers full troop withdrawal from Syria after SDF collapse: report

The United States is actively considering a full withdrawal of all remaining military forces from Syria in the wake of the dramatic collapse of the Syrian Democratic Forces, according to a report published Thursday. The potential policy shift follows a rapid realignment on the ground where Syrian government forces have reclaimed territory previously held by the SDF.

Rapid events prompt strategic reassessment

A report in The Wall Street Journal, citing three unnamed U.S. officials, states that the "head-spinning events of the last week" have led the Pentagon to fundamentally question the viability of the American military mission in Syria. The core of that mission, a partnership with the SDF to counter the Islamic State, has been upended. With the SDF's structure disintegrating as it faces offensives from the Syrian Arab Army, officials reportedly see "no reason" to maintain a troop presence if their local partner force completely disbands.

The current US footprint and previous commitments

The U.S. maintains approximately 1,500 troops in Syria, primarily in the northeast. President Donald Trump has long expressed skepticism about the mission's value. Shortly after beginning his second term last January, he stated he would "make a determination" on the future of troops in the country. The ongoing discussions suggest that determination may now be imminent. When questioned about the report, a Pentagon official offered no confirmation, stating, "We have nothing to provide on this, and we don't speculate on hypothetical situations or future operations."

A victory for Damascus and implications for regional stability

The potential U.S. exit marks a significant strategic victory for the Syrian government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, which is now positioned to exert full control over its northeastern regions. For Türkiye, a key NATO ally that has designated the SDF's dominant element, the YPG, as a terrorist extension of the PKK, the collapse of the group and a U.S. withdrawal would represent the realization of a longstanding national security objective. It would remove a major point of contention in bilateral relations and could pave the way for a more stable border, contingent on Damascus's ability to prevent any resurgence of terrorist threats from its territory.