US to eventually reduce military bases in Syria to one: US envoy
ISTANBUL: The United States has begun reducing its military presence in Syria with a view to eventually closing all but one of its bases there, the US envoy for the country has said in an interview.
Six months after the ouster of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar Assad, the United States is steadily drawing down its presence as part of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), a military task force launched in 2014 to fight the Daesh group (IS).
'The reduction of our OIR engagement on a military basis is happening,' the US envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, said in an interview with Turkiye's NTV late on Monday.
'We've gone from eight bases to five to three. We'll eventually go to one.'
But he admitted Syria still faced major security challenges under interim leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, whose Islamist-led coalition toppled Assad in December.
Assad's ouster brought an end to Syria's bloody 14-year civil war, but the new authorities have struggled to contain recent bouts of sectarian violence.
Barrack, who is also the US ambassador to Turkiye, called for the 'integration' of the country's ethnic and religious groups.
'It's very tribal still. It's very difficult to bring it together,' he said.
But 'I think that will happen,' he added.
The Pentagon announced in April that the United States would halve its troops in Syria to less than 1,000 in the coming months, saying the IS presence had been reduced to 'remnants.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Press
4 hours ago
- Saudi Press
Arafat Illuminated by 20,000 Lighting Units of Unique Designs for Hajj
Arafat Illuminated by 20,000 Lighting Units of Unique Designs for Hajj 3 hours ago Voice reader
Arab News
7 hours ago
- Arab News
IAEA head in Damascus to discuss nuclear power
DAMASCUS: UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi said Wednesday his agency and Syrian authorities would begin 'exploring the possibility of nuclear power,' on his first visit to Damascus since the ouster of Bashar Assad. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly been at loggerheads with Syria in the past over what it says are 'unresolved issues' regarding suspected nuclear activities. On his visit, the IAEA chief met with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani. 'Honoured to meet Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Damascus. I recognize his courage in cooperating with full transparency to close a chapter of Syria's past that diverted resources necessary for development,' Grossi said in a post on X. He said the two sides 'will also begin exploring the possibility of nuclear power in Syria.' 'Our cooperation is key to closing outstanding issues and focusing on the much needed help IAEA can provide Syria in health and agriculture,' he added. The IAEA has urged Syria repeatedly to cooperate fully with the agency in connection to a suspected nuclear reactor at the Deir Ezzor desert site. Israel in 2018 admitted carrying out a top-secret air raid in 2007 against what it said was a nuclear reactor under construction at the site in eastern Syria. Syria had denied it was building a nuclear reactor. Grossi visited Damascus in March last year, meeting then president Assad who was overthrown in December after nearly 14 years of civil war. Grossi told an IAEA Board of Governors meeting in March this year that he had requested Syria's cooperation to 'fulfil our obligation to verify nuclear material and facilities' and to 'address unresolved issues.' 'Clarifying these issues remains essential to Syria demonstrating its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and international peace and security,' he said at the time.
Al Arabiya
8 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
US confident in Syrian partners to prevent ISIS resurgence amid troop withdrawal
A US defense official told Al Arabiya English on Wednesday that Washington's vetted Syrian partners are well-trained, well-equipped, and prepared to prevent any resurgence of ISIS in Syria, even as American forces continue to withdraw from the country. Earlier this week, US officials confirmed to Al Arabiya English that at least 500 American troops had been withdrawn from Syria in recent weeks, and several military bases were either shut down or handed over to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). US Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, noted that the US would maintain a presence at one of its eight long-standing bases in Syria. The defense official emphasized that the ongoing consolidation of forces is being carried out in a 'safe, deliberate, and professional' manner. 'This consolidation reflects the significant steps we have made toward degrading ISIS's appeal and operational capability to carry out attacks both regionally and globally,' the official said, reaffirming Washington's commitment to ensuring the group's enduring defeat. The official also expressed cautious optimism about Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa. 'So far, the Syrian government… is saying and doing the right things in going after ISIS,' the official said. 'We will continue to vigilantly monitor the new government and their behavior.' 'We also appreciate Syria's efforts to cooperate with other regional partners who share our desire to extinguish ISIS.' Acknowledging the persistent threat posed by ISIS, the official underscored that US efforts to prevent a resurgence remain steadfast. 'After nearly a decade of partnership with us, [our Syrian partners] are a strong and capable force that will keep ISIS suppressed. Their expertise and previous sacrifices in combatting ISIS are widely known, and they will continue to play a critical role in protecting Syria from ISIS and Al-Qaeda in the future,' the official said. The official also pointed to ISIS's significantly weakened state as a justification for the drawdown. However, US forces will continue to conduct targeted operations against remaining ISIS elements and work closely with local partners to carry out essential counterterrorism missions, including the security of ISIS detention facilities and camps.
