U.S. troop presence in Syria faces scrutiny amid pressures from Turkey and Israel concerning the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Analysts warn that withdrawing could create security risks, while Turkey sees a retraction as favorable. Israel supports U.S. backing of the SDF to combat Islamic State resurgence. Improved U.S.-Turkey relations may depend on military negotiations regarding troop withdrawal.
The future of U.S. troops in Syria is uncertain as Turkey and Israel assert competing demands regarding the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in their efforts to combat the Islamic State group. President Donald Trump faces pressure to reconsider the presence of approximately 2,000 U.S. troops deployed to support the Arab-Kurdish coalition engaged in this conflict.
Sinan Ciddi, an analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, states that Trump is caught in a dilemma between his campaign promise to prioritize American interests and the potential risks of withdrawing from Syria. “Getting out of foreign entanglements… is a central theme for him,” Ciddi observed. However, he cautioned that a hasty pullout could lead to significant security threats.
Turkey views a reduction in U.S. presence as a desirable outcome, as it opposes American aid to the SDF, which it perceives as linked to Kurdish insurgency. International relations expert Bilgehan Alagoz notes that while U.S. deployments have strained ties with Turkey, withdrawing could facilitate improved relations and establish new negotiations for U.S. troops’ safe exit from Syria.
The continued presence of U.S. forces has helped stave off Turkish military advances against the SDF, but analysts suggest that the SDF’s opportunity to secure its future is limited. Aydin Selcen, a former Turkish diplomat, warns that the SDF must act swiftly to align itself with the Syrian government to mitigate Turkish security concerns.
In contrast, Israel supports the U.S. military presence, recognizing the SDF’s role in detaining thousands of Islamic State militants. Gallia Lindenstrauss from the Institute for National Security Studies emphasizes that the U.S. forces are effective and that their withdrawal might allow for IS resurgence, which all parties wish to avoid.
Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, have expressed their backing for the SDF, viewing them as critical allies against the Islamic State, thus indicating efforts to maintain U.S. support for the Kurdish presence in northeastern Syria. “Israel has voiced… the importance of the Syrian Kurds as allies,” Ciddi remarked, highlighting their role in addressing shared security concerns.
The future of U.S. troops in Syria is under significant scrutiny due to competing influences from Turkey and Israel. There is a careful balance of diplomatic maneuvering, as the U.S. faces pressure to withdraw while ensuring that the Kurdish forces maintain stability against the Islamic State threat. Improved relations between Turkey and the U.S. could hinge on this military presence, while Israel continues to advocate for the SDF as crucial allies in the region.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
