US officials have expressed their dissatisfaction with the pace at which the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are integrating with the new Syrian government in Damascus, established after Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham forces overthrew Bashar al-Assad in December. This reduction in US troops is a clear message to the SDF that the progress with Damascus is not meeting the US's expectations. The US is committed to this transition, and the Pentagon aims to reduce its presence to below 1,000 personnel.
This drawdown occurs amidst a shifting regional balance. Turkey has emerged as a key ally for Syria's interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, leading to increased rivalry with Israel. However, the US has proactively encouraged deconfliction talks between Ankara and Tel Aviv, offering hope for a peaceful resolution. Despite Israel's lobbying efforts to maintain troops as a counterweight to Turkish power, the US's diplomatic efforts remain a key focus.
In a move interpreted by one US official as a "good faith quid pro quo," Damascus recently arrested senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad figures. This action was seen as an effort by Syria's new leadership to demonstrate its ability to address American and Israeli security concerns during the US withdrawal. Meanwhile, the SDF faces mounting pressure from the US reduction and Turkish demands, with analysts noting integration into the Syrian state is now a primary US objective.