U.S. considering major Syria withdrawal - Washington Post | 17 April 2025 | U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is considering a significant reduction of American troops in Syria, the Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing officials familiar with military planning. American forces have been illegally stationed in Syria since 2014. Washington insisted they were deployed to counter ISIS, though they have remained in the years since Syria's war ended. A U.S. official focused on the region told the WaPo there's an expectation that troop numbers would be cut "to a bare minimum," adding "I think we're going to go down to one very small place in the northeast." A defense official confirmed ongoing plans to "reduce" and "consolidate" Washington's troop presence but insisted a full withdrawal is not currently under discussion.