Israel’s official public broadcasting Kan reported that “senior White House officials conveyed a message to their Israeli counterparts indicating that President Trump intends to pull thousands of U.S. troops from Syria”, according to official Turkish news agency Anatolia. Such a move would mean White House agrees with Turkey-HTS view that ISIS correctional facilities and a sprawling refugee camp housing ISIS relatives can be guarded by HTS, possibly with help from Turkey. Troop withdrawal will also likely diminish the resolve of Syrian Kurds, united under Syrian Defense Forces to resist being merged into the new national army, as well as giving up on hopes of autonomy. Finally, if SDF disarms, or is controlled by HTS, Turkey’s dormant Peace Process with Kurds can be resumed.
PATurkey is currently checking the accuracy of this news item, as well as the so far undisclosed conditions of the deal with SDF, HTS and Turkey.
This is what we know at this juncture:
Withdrawal concerns Israel
The report added that “the withdrawal of American forces from Syria will raise significant concerns in Tel Aviv”, according to Turkiye Gazetesi.
A Pentagon announcement in December stated that about 2,000 U.S. troops are currently deployed in Syria.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who visited the occupied Mount Hermon in Syria on Tuesday, reaffirmed Israel’s intent to maintain a military presence in the region indefinitely after its occupation last month.
“We will not allow hostile forces to establish a foothold in the security zone south of Syria, from here to the Sweida-Damascus axis. We will act against any threat,” Katz said.
In December, taking advantage of Syrian factions challenging Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Israel expanded its occupation in the Golan Heights by seizing the demilitarized zone at Mount Hermon.
On Dec. 8, Israeli forces launched airstrikes across Syria, destroying military sites, weaponry, and infrastructure, drawing international condemnation for violating Syrian sovereignty.
Additionally, Israel declared the collapse of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement with Syria, deploying its military in the Golan Heights’ demilitarized zone, much of which it has occupied since 1967. The move has faced criticism from the U.N. and Arab nations.
Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s regime leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party’s regime, which had been in power since 1963. A new administration led by Al-Sharaa has now taken control of the country.
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