The Trump administration will reduce the number of US troops in Syria from around 2,000 to approximately 1,000, officials said Tuesday, in a move signaling a shift in Washington’s military posture across the Middle East.
The Pentagon, which in December acknowledged a larger-than-disclosed troop presence in Syria, will also scale down the number of military bases in the country, according to Al Arabiya English.
A US defense official emphasized that the reduction is part of routine reallocation based on operational needs. “These movements demonstrate the flexible nature of the US global defense posture and our ability to deploy worldwide on short notice to meet evolving security threats,” the official said.
CBS News was the first to report the planned drawdown, which comes amid long-standing US cooperation with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) — a relationship seen as central to the fight against ISIS.
While specifics remain unclear, sources say Kurdish forces will continue overseeing prisons housing tens of thousands of ISIS fighters and their families. However, it’s uncertain how continued US support will look with a smaller footprint.
Outside Syria, the US maintains about 2,500 troops in Iraq, 3,500 in Jordan, and nearly 2,000 in Türkiye. It has not been confirmed where the redeployed Syria-based troops will be sent.
In a separate deal with Baghdad, the US had agreed to consolidate its presence in Iraq and reduce troop numbers. However, following Assad’s fall, Iraq has reportedly requested delays in the transition — a matter still under review, according to officials.
Russia’s defense ministry has accused Ukraine of carrying out four separate attacks on its energy facilities within a 24-hour period, alleging violations of a U.S.-brokered moratorium aimed at preventing strikes on each other’s critical energy infrastructure.
Sporting legends, rising stars, and international guests gathered in Madrid for the 24th Laureus World Sports Awards, where the global sporting community came together to celebrate a year of exceptional achievements, inspiring moments, and the unifying power of sport.
South Korea’s former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted from office, appeared at the Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday to attend the second hearing in his ongoing criminal trial, where he faces serious charges of insurrection.
A U.S. airstrike on Yemen’s Ras Isa oil port has killed at least 74 people and injured 171 others, marking the deadliest known attack in President Trump’s renewed campaign against Houthi rebels and raising alarm over the widening scope of the conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has signaled that a nuclear agreement with the United States remains within reach, provided Washington adopts a realistic and constructive approach ahead of the second round of negotiations with the Trump administration.
A deadly attack at a cockfighting venue in coastal Ecuador has left at least 12 dead, with authorities investigating the scene for clues.
Colombia's president has suspended a ceasefire with a FARC offshoot after efforts to extend the truce failed, though peace talks remain on track.
A mob attack on an Ahmadi place of worship in Karachi has left one man dead, highlighting ongoing persecution of the minority group.
A Russian court has sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to nearly three years in prison for protesting the war in Ukraine using poetry and graffiti.
The new U.S. ambassador to Japan has called for closer military coordination with Tokyo, framing the alliance as crucial amid rising regional tensions and ongoing trade disputes.
The Russian ruble has emerged as the top-performing currency globally in 2025, registering an impressive 38% appreciation against the US dollar since the beginning of the year, according to a report by Bloomberg.
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
Several regions in Ukraine faced heightened alert on Palm Sunday, as reports of explosions and missile threats drew public attention and official responses.
Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 16th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The British steel industry is grappling with its most significant crisis in decades, as the government has been forced to intervene in an emergency bid to save the country's last operational blast furnaces at British Steel.
Police in Pakistan have detained nearly 180 people following a series of incidents involving KFC restaurants in several major cities.
The leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Central Asian countries will come together on May 5 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, marking a major milestone in relations between the two sides.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman has confirmed that the second round of talks between representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America will be held in Rome this Saturday.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to hold talks with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Moscow.
A deadly attack at a cockfighting venue in coastal Ecuador has left at least 12 dead, with authorities investigating the scene for clues.
Colombia's president has suspended a ceasefire with a FARC offshoot after efforts to extend the truce failed, though peace talks remain on track.
A mob attack on an Ahmadi place of worship in Karachi has left one man dead, highlighting ongoing persecution of the minority group.
A Russian court has sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to nearly three years in prison for protesting the war in Ukraine using poetry and graffiti.
The new U.S. ambassador to Japan has called for closer military coordination with Tokyo, framing the alliance as crucial amid rising regional tensions and ongoing trade disputes.
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