US begins troop drawdown in Syria, shuts three military bases

The United States is in the process of pulling out troops from northeastern Syria, The New York Times reported on Thursday.

According to the paper, Washington is closing three of its eight military outposts in the region and reducing troop levels from approximately 2,000 to around 1,400.

The move, the report adds, is based on information from two senior American officials familiar with the withdrawal.

For years, US officials had said that 900 troops were in Syria to support the fight against the Islamic State group.

Then, in February, it said there were 2,000 troops in Syria. Now, following the withdrawal, it says it will leave behind up to 1,400 troops.

US reports that its withdrawing troops from Syria could not be independently verified, and the true number of soldiers in the country is unknown.

The drawdown comes amid growing scrutiny over the US’s long-standing military presence in Syria.