US to Begin Withdrawing Troops from Syria – Israel Warns of Rising Turkish Influence
syria
The Trump administration has notified Israel of its intention to begin a gradual withdrawal of American forces from Syria within the next two months, according to a report by Ynet.
Partial Pullout Expected
A senior Israeli official told Ynet that Jerusalem expects the move to be only a partial withdrawal, yet is actively engaging with Washington in an effort to convince US authorities to maintain a military presence in the region.
Turkish Power Likely to Grow
The same official warned that a reduction in US troops could embolden Turkey to expand its influence in Syria, potentially leading to heightened tensions between Ankara and Jerusalem.
“There is concern in Israel that a US exit will increase Turkey’s appetite for territorial control,” the source said.
Israel Kept in the Loop
Despite these concerns, the United States has consistently updated Israeli officials on its plans. Currently, around 2,000 American troops are stationed in Syria, as previously confirmed by Washington in December.
President Trump’s national security team had already signaled interest in a Syria withdrawal before his return to office, reviving a long-standing objective of disengagement from the region.