U.S. seeking to expand military presence in Syria – Reuters | 6 Nov 2025 | The U.S. is seeking to establish a military presence in the Syrian capital Damascus by the end of the year, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter. The U.S. has maintained a foothold in Syria through a controversial base in the southeast; it is surrounded by an exclusion zone which Moscow has claimed has become a safe space for terrorists. Neither former Syrian President Bashar Assad, toppled late last year, nor the new government led by ex-jihadist leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has authorized an American presence in the country. The looming agreement is linked to a non-aggression pact between Syria’s new authorities and Israel, according to the report.