US consolidates troops in Syria under anti-ISIS coalition command
“In line with President Trump’s commitment to peace through strength, CENTCOM will remain poised to strike where necessary,” the statement read. “We will continue to work closely with willing and capable Coalition partners to sustain pressure on ISIS.”
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a strategic recalibration of its military presence in Syria, the United States Department of Defense announced the consolidation of its forces under the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), citing sustained success in degrading ISIS both regionally and globally.
Pentagon Chief Spokesman Sean Parnell issued the statement on Friday, affirming that the move reflects significant progress in the U.S.-led coalition’s fight against the extremist group, whose territorial defeat was declared in 2019.
“This consolidation reflects the significant steps we have made toward degrading ISIS' appeal and operational capability,” Parnell said. “It is a deliberate and conditions-based process.”
As part of the reconfiguration, the U.S. footprint in Syria will be reduced to fewer than 1,000 troops in the coming months. Forces will be repositioned to select, fortified locations in the country, ensuring continued operational reach while adapting to evolving security dynamics on the ground.
Enduring commitment to counterterrorism
The Department of Defense underscored that the mission’s core objective remains unchanged. Despite the troop drawdown, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) will maintain readiness to conduct precision strikes against ISIS remnants and other emerging terrorist threats.
“In line with President Trump’s commitment to peace through strength, CENTCOM will remain poised to strike where necessary,” the statement read. “We will continue to work closely with willing and capable Coalition partners to sustain pressure on ISIS.”
The Pentagon also emphasized that terrorism is a transnational threat not confined to the Middle East. “We will remain vigilant across every continent to ensure ISIS has nowhere to hide,” Parnell noted.
Operational gains and future focus
Over the past decade, the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS has achieved a series of tactical and strategic milestones, culminating in the collapse of the group’s territorial caliphate in 2019. Over the last year alone, U.S. airstrikes have further weakened ISIS networks, limiting their ability to regroup or expand.
However, the Pentagon stressed that continued engagement is essential, particularly in northeastern Syria, where thousands of ISIS-linked individuals remain in detention facilities and displacement camps.
“A crucial line of effort in degrading ISIS strength is reducing the populations of displaced and detained ISIS-linked individuals,” the statement said. The Department of Defense called on the international community to take responsibility for repatriating their nationals from these facilities.
Flexibility and forward posture
While the reduction in troop numbers signals a shift in posture, the Pentagon reaffirmed its capacity to respond rapidly to future threats. “The Department of Defense continues to maintain a significant amount of capability in the region and the ability to make dynamic force posture adjustments,” Parnell said.
This restructuring marks a new phase in the U.S. military’s engagement in Syria—leaner, more focused, and still committed to preventing the resurgence of ISIS or the emergence of new terrorist threats in the region.
