The United States began bombing ISIS targets in Syria in September 2014. Eleven years later, Washington announced it will withdraw all remaining troops within two months—ending a ground presence that once numbered over 2,000 soldiers. The withdrawal follows a cascade of changes: Assad's fall in December 2024, a new HTS-led government taking control, and an agreement integrating America's Kurdish allies into the Syrian national army.
The departure marks the end of the primary U.S. counterterrorism mission in the region. The Syrian government has agreed to take responsibility for combating ISIS within its borders, including control of detention facilities holding thousands of former fighters. Whether Damascus can contain a group that conducted 660 attacks in 2024 alone—triple the rate of the previous year—remains the central question.
16 events
Latest: February 18th, 2026 · 3 months ago
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February 2026
US Announces Full Withdrawal Within Two Months
LatestPolicy
Washington announces departure of all ~1,000 remaining troops, ending 11-year ground presence in Syria.
US Completes Withdrawal from Al-Tanf Garrison
Military
CENTCOM hands strategic base near Iraq and Jordan borders to Syrian government after decade of operation.
January 2026
SDF Agrees to Full Integration into Syrian Military
Political
Deal formalizes Kurdish forces' incorporation into national army, creating SDF brigades under government command.
US Begins Mass Transfer of ISIS Detainees to Iraq
Security
23-day operation begins relocating 5,700+ ISIS detainees from Syrian camps to Iraqi custody.
SDF Signs Ceasefire with Damascus
Diplomatic
US-brokered 14-point agreement provides for SDF integration into Syrian army and handover of Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, detention camps, and oil fields.
Syrian Forces Launch Offensive on SDF Positions
Military
Government forces dislodge SDF from Aleppo neighborhoods, beginning offensive that captures 80% of Kurdish-held territory.
December 2025
US Launches Major Airstrikes After ISIS Attack Kills Americans
Military
Following the Palmyra attack that killed two US soldiers, US and Jordan strike 70 ISIS targets with 100+ munitions.
May 2025
Barrack Appointed Syria Special Envoy
Diplomatic
Ambassador Tom Barrack takes on additional role as Special Envoy for Syria, consolidating Trump administration's Syria policy.
April 2025
Pentagon Announces Force Consolidation
Policy
Defense Department announces plan to reduce US presence to under 1,000 troops at a single base.
January 2025
Ahmed al-Sharaa Appointed Interim President
Political
HTS leader al-Sharaa takes office as Syria's interim president under transitional government framework.
December 2024
Assad Regime Falls to HTS-Led Offensive
Political
Rebel forces capture Damascus. Assad flees to Russia, ending 24 years of rule and 53 years of Assad family control.
October 2019
Trump Orders Partial Withdrawal Before Turkish Invasion
Policy
After a call with Turkish President Erdogan, Trump orders troops out of northern Syria, enabling Turkish military operations against Kurds.
March 2019
ISIS Territorial Caliphate Defeated
Military
SDF captures Baghuz, the last ISIS-held territory, ending the group's territorial control in Syria.
October 2017
SDF Captures Raqqa from ISIS
Military
After months of fighting with US air support, SDF forces liberate ISIS's self-proclaimed capital.
October 2015
Syrian Democratic Forces Coalition Formed
Military
US-backed coalition of Kurdish, Arab, and Christian militias established as primary ground partner against ISIS.
September 2014
US Begins Airstrikes in Syria Against ISIS
Military
President Obama orders airstrikes under Operation Inherent Resolve, beginning US intervention in the Syrian civil war.
Historical Context
3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.
1 of 3
December 2011
US Withdrawal from Iraq (2011)
The last US combat troops departed Iraq in December 2011 under a status-of-forces agreement signed by President Bush in 2008. Approximately 45,000 troops withdrew, leaving security responsibility to Iraqi forces. The Obama administration had sought to maintain a residual force of 5,000 advisors, but negotiations collapsed over legal immunity for US soldiers.
Then
Iraqi security forces, weakened by political purges and sectarian divisions, proved unable to hold territory. Prime Minister Maliki's marginalization of Sunni politicians fueled grievances.
Now
ISIS exploited the vacuum, capturing Mosul in June 2014 with little resistance. The subsequent war cost Iraq 60,000 lives and $100 billion. US forces returned to Iraq and Syria under Operation Inherent Resolve.
Why this matters now
The 2011 withdrawal offers the clearest precedent for potential consequences. Syria faces similar challenges: an inexperienced government, sectarian tensions, thousands of detained fighters, and a degraded but not destroyed ISIS.
2 of 3
February 1984
US Withdrawal from Lebanon (1984)
US Marines deployed to Beirut in 1982 as part of a multinational peacekeeping force during Lebanon's civil war. After a truck bomb killed 241 American service members in October 1983—the deadliest single-day death toll for Marines since Iwo Jima—and the Lebanese national army collapsed in February 1984, President Reagan ordered withdrawal. The last Marines left on February 26, 1984.
Then
The civil war intensified after the multinational force departed. Syria and Iran's proxies expanded influence in Lebanon.
Now
Hezbollah emerged as the dominant force in Lebanese politics and became Iran's primary regional proxy. Syria occupied Lebanon until 2005.
Why this matters now
The Lebanon withdrawal shows how departure can accelerate the rise of hostile non-state actors backed by regional powers—a dynamic potentially relevant if ISIS reconstitutes or Iranian influence returns.
3 of 3
August 2021
US Withdrawal from Afghanistan (2021)
US forces completed withdrawal on August 30, 2021, after 20 years and the deaths of 2,461 American service members. The Taliban captured Kabul on August 15 as Afghan government forces collapsed faster than intelligence assessments predicted. The withdrawal included chaotic evacuations and a suicide bombing at Kabul airport that killed 13 US troops and 170 Afghans.
Then
The Taliban government immediately imposed restrictions on women's education and employment. International sanctions isolated Afghanistan economically.
Now
Despite fears, Afghanistan has not become a major base for international terrorism. Russia and Iran have established pragmatic relations with the Taliban government.
Why this matters now
The Afghanistan precedent shows both risks (rapid collapse of partner forces, humanitarian consequences) and potential reassurance (terrorist groups may remain contained without US presence). Syria's situation differs: the government taking over is not the enemy but a former al-Qaeda affiliate now seeking Western legitimacy.
