Top Headlines

Feeds

U.S. Orders Final Withdrawal of 1,000 Troops From Syria by April 2026

Updated (47 articles)
  • In this Sept. 8, 2019, photo, U.S. soldiers stand near a Turkish armored vehicle during the first American-Turkish joint patrol in the so-called “safe zone” on the Syrian side of the border with Turkey near Tal Abyad, Syria. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
    In this Sept. 8, 2019, photo, U.S. soldiers stand near a Turkish armored vehicle during the first American-Turkish joint patrol in the so-called “safe zone” on the Syrian side of the border with Turkey near Tal Abyad, Syria. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
    Image: Newsweek
    In this Sept. 8, 2019, photo, U.S. soldiers stand near a Turkish armored vehicle during the first American-Turkish joint patrol in the so-called “safe zone” on the Syrian side of the border with Turkey near Tal Abyad, Syria. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) Source Full size
  • In this Sept. 8, 2019, photo, U.S. soldiers stand near a Turkish armored vehicle during the first American-Turkish joint patrol in the so-called “safe zone” on the Syrian side of the border with Turkey near Tal Abyad, Syria. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
    In this Sept. 8, 2019, photo, U.S. soldiers stand near a Turkish armored vehicle during the first American-Turkish joint patrol in the so-called “safe zone” on the Syrian side of the border with Turkey near Tal Abyad, Syria. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
    Image: Newsweek
    In this Sept. 8, 2019, photo, U.S. soldiers stand near a Turkish armored vehicle during the first American-Turkish joint patrol in the so-called “safe zone” on the Syrian side of the border with Turkey near Tal Abyad, Syria. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) Source Full size

Withdrawal Timeline Set for Two‑Month Completion A senior U.S. official told Reuters on Feb. 19, 2026 that the remaining 1,000 American service members will depart Syria within the next 60 days, ending the U.S. footprint there [1]. The drawdown begins immediately, with a portion of the force already relocated under a conditions‑based transition. Completion is targeted for early April 2026, marking the final phase of the decade‑long presence [1].

Origins of U.S. Presence Linked to Anti‑ISIS Coalition The United States entered Syria in 2015 as part of an international coalition to defeat ISIS, operating alongside the Kurdish‑led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) [1]. Over the years, U.S. troops provided air support, training, and advisory assistance to the SDF. The current pullout reflects a shift from direct combat to partner‑led counter‑terrorism efforts [1].

Syrian Government Expected to Assume Counter‑Terrorism Lead President Ahmed al‑Sharaa’s administration has signaled readiness to take primary responsibility for anti‑terrorism operations inside Syria [1]. The senior official indicated that Damascus’ willingness makes the large‑scale U.S. presence unnecessary. Future security actions against ISIS remnants will rely on Syrian forces under this new arrangement [1].

Withdrawal Unrelated to Recent Iranian‑Backed Attacks Recent Iranian‑backed strikes in Palmyra that killed two Iowa National Guard members and a translator sparked speculation about a U.S. force buildup. CBS News confirmed the troop pullout is not connected to those incidents [1]. The decision stems from a broader strategic review rather than an immediate reaction to the attacks [1].

Sources

Timeline

2015 – The United States launches its anti‑ISIS coalition in Syria, partnering with the Kurdish‑led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to combat the terror group [6].

2019 – The SDF and its allies defeat Islamic State, ending the group’s territorial caliphate after years of brutal fighting [2].

Dec 2024 – Bashar al‑Assad’s regime collapses; interim president Ahmed al‑Sharaa, a former al‑Qaeda affiliate, assumes power and begins talks with Washington on security cooperation [1][25].

Dec 11, 2025 – U.S. forces pivot to a new partnership with interim president al‑Sharaa, shifting from a Kurdish‑centric strategy to include Damascus while still targeting ISIS [25].

Dec 22, 2025 – Turkish officials arrive in Damascus ahead of the March integration deadline, sparking clashes in Aleppo that kill civilians and prompt a temporary cease‑fire order [30].

Jan 7, 2026 – The Syrian army shells Kurdish‑majority Aleppo districts after the civilian‑evacuation deadline expires, declaring the areas “closed military zones” and opening humanitarian crossings beforehand [29].

Jan 8, 2026 – Syrian authorities order civilians to evacuate contested Aleppo neighborhoods, warning that “targeted operations” will begin half an hour after the deadline; tens of thousands flee amid ongoing shelling [28].

Jan 9, 2026 – A government‑declared cease‑fire in Aleppo falters as fighting resumes; U.S. envoy Tom Barrack welcomes the pause and seeks an extension [23].

Jan 9, 2026 – Thousands flee Aleppo as clashes intensify; at least 21 civilians are killed and displacement reaches over 142,000 [24].

Jan 9, 2026 – Kurdish fighters refuse to withdraw after the truce, vowing to defend Sheikh Maqsud, Achrafieh and Bani Zaid despite government orders [27].

Jan 10, 2026 – Syrian forces strike Sheikh Maqsud after the cease‑fire deadline, reporting the operation is over 90 % complete and arresting several SDF members [26].

Jan 15, 2026 – The Syrian army opens a humanitarian corridor east of Aleppo, signaling a possible offensive in Deir Hafer and Maskana while urging SDF and other groups to withdraw across the Euphrates [22].

Jan 17, 2026 – Syrian troops enter Deir Hafer following the Kurdish redeployment east of the Euphrates; at least 4,000 civilians evacuate the town [21].

Jan 18, 2026 – Government forces seize the Omar oil field, Syria’s largest, and nearby gas fields after the SDF pulls back east of the Euphrates [19].

Jan 18, 2026 – Damascus captures Tabqa and the strategic Euphrates Dam, while President al‑Sharaa issues a decree granting Kurdish citizenship, recognizing Kurdish as a national language and declaring Nowruz a holiday [20].

Jan 21, 2026 – The U.S. begins transferring IS detainees from northeast Syria to Iraq, moving an initial 150 prisoners and planning to relocate up to 7,000 [12][5][11]; the operation aims to prevent breakout as government forces expand [5].

Jan 21, 2026 – The SDF, feeling betrayed by Washington’s shift, publicly seeks urgent aid and international guarantees for Kurdish rights as Damascus advances [13].

Jan 22, 2026 – The UN‑run UNHCR assumes management of al‑Hol camp after the SDF withdraws, but conditions remain “tense and volatile” [3].

Jan 22, 2026 – President al‑Sharaa’s government seizes remaining Kurdish‑held northeast territories, reinforcing the decree on Kurdish language and citizenship [4].

Jan 23, 2026 – Syrian forces take control of al‑Aqtan prison north of Raqqa after Kurdish fighters evacuate; the prison’s detainee files are reviewed by the government [10].

Jan 24, 2026 – Damascus extends the cease‑fire by 15 days, supporting the U.S. IS‑detainee transfer and releasing 126 minors from al‑Aqtan prison [9].

Jan 27, 2026 – The cease‑fire set to expire on 7 Feb 2026, prompting negotiators to discuss extensions or a permanent arrangement [2].

Jan 29, 2026 – Kurdish forces retreat as U.S. backs interim president al‑Sharaa; the SDF loses control of the Omar oil field and other resource‑rich sites [2].

Jan 30, 2026 – The Syrian government and the SDF sign an integration deal that creates a three‑brigade military division, merges Kurdish administrative bodies into the state, and guarantees Kurdish civil and educational rights; U.S. envoy Tom Barrack calls the pact “historic” [1].

Feb 4, 2026 – Syrian Interior Ministry units roll into Qamishli, securing civil‑registry offices, the airport and other state facilities as part of the Damascus‑SDF integration agreement [7].

Feb 19, 2026 – The United States announces it will withdraw its remaining 1,000 troops from Syria within 60 days, citing Damascus’ willingness to lead counter‑terrorism as the reason for ending the American footprint [6].

Mid‑April 2026 (expected) – The U.S. completes its full troop withdrawal from Syria, ending the last American presence after the two‑month timeline announced on 19 Feb 2026 [6].

Future (as of Jan 2026) – The integration plan calls for the SDF to present a detailed merger proposal within four days of the cease‑fire, after which Kurdish fighters will join the Syrian army and interior ministry individually [4]; the broader cease‑fire is slated to be renewed or made permanent pending negotiations [2][9].

Social media (2 posts)

Dive deeper (9 sub-stories)

All related articles (47 articles)

External resources (8 links)