The Future of U.S. Troops in Syria: Strategic Challenges from Turkey and Israel

The future of U.S. troops in Syria is at risk as Turkey and Israel push competing agendas related to the Kurdish-led SDF and the Islamic State. Trump’s administration is under pressure, with Turkey advocating for a withdrawal, while Israel seeks continued support for the SDF’s role in combating IS threats. Analysts warn of escalating security risks in the region depending on the U.S. military’s decisions.

The future of U.S. troops in Syria is uncertain as Turkey and Israel exert conflicting influences on the Trump administration regarding the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and their role against the Islamic State (IS). Currently, around 2,000 U.S. military personnel support this coalition in its ongoing battle against IS militants, many of whom are detained by the SDF.

President Trump’s administration faces significant pressure over American troop presence in Syria. Sinan Ciddi, a Turkey analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, emphasizes that Trump’s promise to prioritize U.S. interests complicates the situation. He warns that a rapid troop withdrawal could create security threats in a volatile region.

Turkey is pushing for a U.S. withdrawal to eliminate support for the SDF, which it views as linked to Kurdish insurgents. Bilgehan Alagoz from Istanbul’s Marmara University believes a U.S. exit from Syria could restore U.S.-Turkey relations. Alagoz suggests that Turkey could ensure U.S. support during such a withdrawal, indicating a potential shift in diplomatic ties.

Currently, American soldiers are instrumental in protecting the SDF from potential Turkish offensives along the Syrian border. If the U.S. were to withdraw, this could collapse the diplomatic support the SDF relies on, according to Aydin Selcen, a former Turkish diplomat, who points out the urgency for the SDF to negotiate with the Syrian government for their future security.

While Turkey demands the disbandment of the SDF, Israel is advocating for ongoing U.S. support for these forces due to the persistent threat from IS. Gallia Lindenstrauss from the Institute for National Security Studies highlights the concern over 10,000 IS fighters being held by the SDF, asserting that maintaining U.S. troops is crucial to preventing a resurgence of this extremist group.

Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, echoes the importance of the SDF, suggesting that Israel is likely to engage in diplomatic efforts to maintain American military support. According to Sinan Ciddi, Israel’s increasing support for the Syrian Kurds arises from their reliability in addressing significant security concerns for Israel.

The presence of U.S. troops in Syria faces challenges due to diverging interests from Turkey and Israel. While Turkish pressure favors withdrawal from support of the Kurdish-led SDF, Israel views these forces as essential in combating IS. Ultimately, the U.S. must navigate the complex geopolitical landscape to balance its relationships and security objectives in the region.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr