Uncertain Future for US Military Presence in Syria Amid Turkish and Israeli Pressure

The future of US troops in Syria faces uncertainty amid pressures from Turkey and Israel concerning the Kurdish-led SDF’s role against the Islamic State. President Trump is in a dilemma between fulfilling his campaign promise to reduce foreign commitments and addressing significant security risks posed by a potential withdrawal. Turkey seeks a pullout, while Israel emphasizes the necessity of US support for the SDF to counter IS threats.

The future of American military presence in Syria has become increasingly uncertain due to conflicting pressures from Turkey and Israel regarding the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Currently, approximately 2,000 US troops support the SDF in their fight against the Islamic State group, while the presence of these troops is now at risk amidst escalating geopolitical tensions.

President Donald Trump is confronted with a significant dilemma; he campaigned on a platform of prioritizing American interests by reducing foreign commitments, yet an immediate withdrawal from Syria could pose major security threats. According to Turkey analyst Sinan Ciddi, the security implications of pulling out 2,000 troops could be severe for the region.

Turkey is keen on a US withdrawal, viewing it as an opportunity to improve relations with Washington. Ankara has labeled the SDF as insurgents linked to Kurdish fighters within Turkey, a stance emphasized by Bilgehan Alagoz from Marmara University, who asserts that a quicker withdrawal could reset US-Turkey ties.

Currently, US forces are preventing a Turkish military advance against the SDF, a move that could destabilize the coalition fighting IS. Analysts like Aydin Selcen indicate that the SDF has a limited timeframe to secure its future through collaboration with Damascus, which may coincide with Turkish security interests.

President Erdogan seeks the disbandment of the SDF, threatening military action against them. Conversely, Israel supports the continued US military presence in Syria, emphasizing the SDF’s role in detaining thousands of IS fighters. Gallia Lindenstrauss from the Institute for National Security Studies underscores the significance of maintaining US troops in Syria to prevent the resurgence of IS.

Israel’s government is reportedly increasing support for Kurdish forces in northeast Syria, with plans likely communicated to Trump by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This growing support aims to leverage the Syrian Kurds’ reliability in addressing Israel’s security concerns, signaling a possible shift in diplomatic efforts that favor sustaining US involvement in the region.

The status of US troops in Syria remains precarious as the Trump administration navigates competing pressures from Turkey and Israel. While Turkey advocates for a withdrawal, potentially benefiting its relations with the US, Israel points to the necessity of maintaining military support for the SDF to combat the Islamic State threat. The dynamics of these relationships indicate that decisions regarding troop presence will significantly impact regional stability and security moving forward.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr