The Trump administration is reportedly preparing for a 'rapid' withdrawal of all 2,000 American troops in Syria
The United States is considering a total withdrawal of US forces from Syria as it nears the end of its campaign to retake all of the territory once held by Islamic State, US officials told Reuters on Wednesday.
The decision would upend assumptions about a longer-term USmilitary presence in Syria, which US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and other senior US officials had advocated to help ensure Islamic State cannot reemerge.
Planning is underway for a "full" and "rapid" withdrawal of the roughly 2,000 troops stationed in Syria, US officials told CNN Wednesday, revealing that this decision was made by President Donald Trump.
US officials have, according to The Wall Street Journal, already began informing partners in northeastern Syria.