Washington, D.C., April 18, 2025 — The Department of Defense has announced a strategic consolidation of U.S. forces in Syria under Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, reflecting ongoing efforts to weaken ISIS and ensure regional stability.
Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that the repositioning of troops to select locations within Syria will reduce the U.S. military footprint to fewer than 1,000 service members in the coming months. The move highlights the United States’ continued success in degrading ISIS, whose territorial defeat was achieved in 2019 under President Donald J. Trump.
Over the past year, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has conducted numerous targeted airstrikes to prevent ISIS from regaining strength. The consolidation is described as a deliberate, conditions-based decision, aligned with President Trump’s “peace through strength” doctrine.
While repositioning forces, the U.S. will maintain the capability to launch counterterrorism strikes and respond swiftly to emerging threats in the region. Cooperation with reliable Coalition partners will remain key to sustaining pressure on ISIS and addressing broader terrorist threats worldwide.
The Pentagon also emphasized the need for global action to reduce the population of ISIS-affiliated detainees and displaced individuals in camps across northeast Syria. Officials urged the international community to repatriate their citizens, many of whom remain in detention facilities linked to extremist activity.
The Department of Defense continues to monitor the evolving security environment in Syria and maintains flexible force posture capabilities to respond as needed.
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