Thursday, February 19, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
The United States of America has commenced the withdrawal of its remaining military forces from Syria, signalling the imminent end of a decade-long deployment that began amidst the campaign against the Islamic State (IS) group. Multiple international media outlets, citing U.S. officials, report that roughly 1,000 U.S. troops stationed in the country will depart entirely within the next two months as the Pentagon orders a complete pullout.
According to officials cited by The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. military has already vacated key garrisons such as the Al-Tanf base near the Syrian-Jordanian-Iraqi border and the strategic Al-Shaddadi installation in northeastern Syria. With these withdrawals completed, the remaining forces are set to leave other positions across Syria in an “orderly” drawdown expected to conclude by early spring.
U.S. authorities describe the pullback as “conditions-based,” stressing that troops could return if circumstances change, particularly in relation to the security threat posed by IS or other militant groups. CBS News and Reuters confirm that the decision follows transformations in Syria’s internal dynamics including expanded control by the Syrian government and the integration of formerly U.S.-backed Kurdish forces into national institutions.
The announcement marks a significant shift in U.S. military posture in the Middle East, bringing to a close one of the longest overseas deployments tied to the so-called “war on terror.” U.S. intervention began in 2014 under Operation Inherent Resolve, initially deploying ground forces to support local allies against IS territorial control. Over the years, troop levels fluctuated as the coalition dismantled IS-held territories; however, a sustained presence remained well beyond the group’s territorial defeat.
Strategic analysts argue that the withdrawal reflects both geopolitical recalibration and evolving priorities for the U.S. military. With Syrian government forces reclaiming large swathes of territory and the initial Kurdish-led partners diminishing as separate entities, the rationale for a long-term U.S. ground presence has weakened. Critics, however, warn that fully removing American troops could create security vacuums and opportunities for extremist resurgence, even as diplomatic engagement and regional partnerships evolve.
The U.S. pullback also occurs against heightened tensions elsewhere in the region, including a major military buildup in the Persian Gulf amid concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions developments U.S. officials say are unrelated to the Syria withdrawal but underscore broader security challenges facing American forces abroad.
As U.S. soldiers prepare to depart, the legacy of nearly twelve years of involvement spanning combat operations, counterterrorism missions, and complex diplomatic engagement will remain a focal point for policymakers, analysts, and regional actors alike.