US reaches decision on Syria pullout
The White House said Wednesday that the US military mission in Syria was 'coming to a rapid end' but indicated no timetable for a withdrawal.
Days after President Donald Trump shocked aides and allies by declaring that the roughly 2,000 troops helping combat the Islamic State group would be coming home soon, the White House scotched talk of a precipitous withdrawal.
After a meeting Tuesday between Trump and his national security team, the White House said that the battle against the Islamic State group was almost over, but not quite.
'The military mission to eradicate ISIS in Syria is coming to a rapid end, with ISIS being almost completely destroyed.'
'The United States and our partners remain committed to eliminating the small ISIS presence in Syria that our forces have not already eradicated.'
Estimates about the number of jihadis remaining around the Syria-Iraq border range from a couple of hundred to the tens of thousands.
They are being fought by disparate groups of Kurdish and Syrian opposition fighters, with some US and coalition support.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US]()
Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US
The US State Department’s approval of a multi-billion-dollar sale of weapons to Taiwan includes tactical mission networks equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, artillery rocket systems and self-propelled howitzers as well as anti-tank guided missiles.
-
![US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry]()
US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry
The 2025 NSS has emphasised investment in the US nuclear and air defence inventory and national industry, but it leaves multiple unanswered questions on how the White House will implement this approach.
-
![Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners]()
Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners
While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.
-
![NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems]()
NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems
During the latest edition of the NATO DiBaX, the alliance tested multiple capabilities to inform requirements for future efforts.
