U.S. to initiate withdrawal from Syria within two months

Washington has informed Israeli security officials on Tuesday of its decision to begin a phased withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria within the next two months, according to reports from Israeli’s Ynet. The move marks a significant shift in U.S. military engagement in the region and comes despite repeated efforts by Israel to halt the process.

Sources say that Israel has been working behind the scenes to convince the United States to maintain its military presence in Syria. However, those diplomatic efforts appear to have failed, though Israeli officials continue to exert pressure in hopes of reversing or delaying the decision.

📸 Syria – US forces are transporting a large amount of military equipment from their bases in southern Hasakah in trucks.
Trucks were brought empty from northern Iraq.
Footage was taken on the Hasakah road leading to al-Yarubiyah region on the Syria-Iraq border.@alkhabour21 pic.twitter.com/YcLMWaNnyy

— Mete Sohtaoğlu (@metesohtaoglu) April 14, 2025

Recent footage emerging from northeastern Syria shows trucks—reportedly brought in empty from northern Iraq—transporting military equipment from U.S. bases in southern Hasakah in Syria.

The convoy was spotted along the Hasakah road toward the al-Yarubiyah region, near the Syrian-Iraqi border, indicating the early stages of logistical preparations for the withdrawal.

Decade long U.S. military presence in Syria

The U.S. military first deployed forces to Syria in 2014 as part of a broader campaign to combat Daesh.

At its height, the U.S. maintained around 2,000 to 2,500 troops in the country. Although troop levels have fluctuated over the years due to evolving strategic priorities and partial withdrawals, a Pentagon report from late 2024 stated that approximately 2,000 American personnel were still operating in Syria.

Trump’s initial withdrawal attempt in 2019

A notable shift occurred in 2019, when President Donald Trump during his first term ordered the withdrawal of U.S. troops from northern Syria. The decision prompted widespread criticism in Washington and led to the resignation of several senior defense officials.

Despite the drawdown, the U.S. retained a presence in eastern Syria—particularly near vital oil fields—and continued to operate from the strategic al-Tanf base near the Jordanian border. This contingent included mechanized infantry and armored units focused on counterterrorism operations and deterring regional adversaries.

Trump ran his second campaign leading up to inauguration on January 2025 promising once again to withdraw American troops in Syria and other conflict areas in a bid to focus more on domestic problems and unfair global trading conditions.

Relying on Syria’s new administration, Türkiye relations to benefit

With trucks already mobilizing equipment and a clear timeline in place, Washington’s decision appears firm—setting the stage for another pivotal moment in the turbulent history of U.S. involvement in Syria.

Washington may be more willing to cooperate with Syria’s latest interim administration set up in February 2025 after the swift ouster of the Assad regime in December 2024. All indicative of a more stable Syria moving forward.

Meanwhile, NATO allies U.S. and Türkiye have long been loggerheads with one another over the American reluctance to work with Ankara regarding matters across from its border. The latest move indicates a growing momentum of strengthening U.S.-Türkiye ties.