The UN Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, announced that resolving the Syrian conflict requires addressing the withdrawal of U.S. and Turkish forces from Syria, as well as resolving issues related to Kurdish units and sanctions.
Pedersen stated, “To settle the situation in Syria, a number of issues must be addressed, including the withdrawal of Turkish and U.S. forces, the matter of Kurdish units, and sanctions.”
He also added that a new approach by both the Syrian government and opposition is essential to end the conflict.
The ongoing U.S. military mission in Syria, which began in 2014, primarily focuses on counterterrorism efforts against ISIS and other extremist groups, and it also aims to limit Iran’s influence in the region. As of early 2023, there are approximately 900 U.S. troops in Syria. These forces are engaged in preventing any resurgence of ISIS, which had taken control of large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria in 2014. The U.S. troops, alongside coalition allies, declared the defeat of the Islamic State caliphate in 2019. However, remnants of the group remain a threat. The U.S. forces also assist the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in securing detention facilities holding about 10,000 ISIS fighters and conduct counterterror missions.
The U.S. presence in Syria also serves as a strategic countermeasure against Iran-backed militias. American forces make it more challenging for Iran to move weapons into Lebanon for its proxies, including Hezbollah, against Israel. The location of U.S. bases, like the al-Tanf garrison in southeastern Syria, is strategically important as it sits on a vital route that could link Iranian-backed forces from Tehran to southern Lebanon, near Israel’s doorstep.
Despite calls for withdrawal, including a recent Senate vote that overwhelmingly opposed a bill requiring the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria, the U.S. government maintains the importance of its presence in the country to confront ISIL and Iran. This stance is shared by both the current and previous administrations, with assurances given to the SDF that the U.S. will not withdraw its forces, unlike in Afghanistan.
