This article was originally publihsed by Kevin Hughes at Natural News.
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- U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to withdraw thousands of American troops from Syria, a move that has not been officially confirmed by the White House but has sparked concern among allies, particularly Israel, which sees U.S. forces as a stabilizing factor.
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- Israel has expanded its control over southern Syria, seizing strategic territories including Mount Hermon and parts of the Golan Heights, and declared its intention to remain indefinitely, aiming to secure the area against hostile forces.
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- The U.S. withdrawal and Israel’s territorial expansion have raised alarms about regional stability and security, drawing international condemnation, particularly from the United Nations and Arab states, and marking the collapse of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.
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- The potential U.S. withdrawal could leave the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) vulnerable and risk a resurgence of the Islamic State (IS), as the region remains fractured by civil war and foreign intervention, with millions displaced and infrastructure destroyed.
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- These developments reflect a significant shift in the power dynamics of the Middle East, with potential U.S. withdrawal aligning with Trump’s goal to end “endless wars” but also risking a power vacuum that could be exploited by rival powers or extremist groups, further complicating the region’s stability.
In a move that could reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to withdraw thousands of American troops from Syria, according to Israeli media reports.
The decision, which has yet to be officially confirmed by the White House, has sparked significant concern among U.S. allies, particularly Israel, which views the American presence as a stabilizing force in the region. Meanwhile, Israel has expanded its occupation of southern Syria, seizing strategic territories and declaring its intent to remain indefinitely. These developments come amid a fragile power vacuum following the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December.
Trump has long signaled his desire to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria, a stance that has often clashed with the views of more hawkish officials within his administration and the Pentagon. During his first term, Trump famously stated, “I left troops [in Syria] to take the oil. I took the oil. The only troops I have are taking the oil. They’re protecting the oil. I took over the oil,” during a 2019 interview with Fox News.
This blunt admission highlighted the economic motivations behind the U.S. presence, which has been criticized for exacerbating the suffering of ordinary Syrians, who endure severe shortages of electricity and other basic necessities. Israeli media outlet Kan reported on Tuesday, Jan. 28, that senior White House officials had informed their Israeli counterparts of Trump’s intention to pull out thousands of U.S. troops.
The U.S. currently maintains approximately 2,000 troops in northern and eastern Syria, where they support the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in counter-terrorism operations against the Islamic State (IS). The potential withdrawal has raised alarms in Tel Aviv, where officials view the U.S. presence as a critical deterrent against regional threats, including Iran and other hostile actors. (Related: U.S. has more than doubled troops in Syria, hides expansion for years.)
Implications of the troop withdrawal on Israel’s expanding occupation and regional stability
While the U.S. is considering reducing its footprint in Syria, Israel has moved to solidify its control over strategic territories in southern Syria. Following the ouster of Assad in December, Israeli forces seized hundreds of square kilometers of land, including the strategically vital Mount Hermon and parts of the Golan Heights, which Israel has occupied since 1967.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared on Tuesday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would remain in the region “indefinitely” to ensure the security of Israeli communities.
“We will not allow hostile forces to establish a foothold in the security zone south of Syria, from here to the Sweida-Damascus axis. We will act against any threat,” Katz said during a visit to troops on Mount Hermon.
Israel’s actions have drawn widespread international condemnation, with the United Nations and Arab states criticizing the violation of Syrian sovereignty. The move also marks the collapse of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria, further destabilizing the region.
The potential U.S. withdrawal and Israel’s territorial expansion come at a precarious moment for Syria, which remains fractured by civil war and foreign intervention. The U.S. presence has been a lifeline for the SDF, which has faced increasing attacks from Turkey and its proxy militias. A U.S. pullout could leave the Kurds vulnerable and risk a resurgence of IS, which U.S. defense officials have long warned against.
Historically, the U.S. has played a complex role in Syria, with former Secretary of State John Kerry admitting in 2016 that the U.S. sought to “manage” IS as a means of pressuring Assad. Critics argue that such strategies have contributed to the chaos and suffering in Syria, where millions remain displaced and infrastructure lies in ruins.
As Trump weighs the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria, the region braces for a new chapter of uncertainty. Israel’s expanded occupation and the potential U.S. exit underscore the shifting dynamics of power in the Middle East, with profound implications for regional security and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria. While Trump’s move aligns with his long-stated goal of ending “endless wars,” it also risks leaving a vacuum that could be filled by rival powers or resurgent extremist groups.
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Watch this video about the Israel Defense Forces advancing in southern Syria.
This video is from Cynthia’s Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.
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