Story perspectives

US Ends Syria Mission, Withdraws Forces Amid ISIS Shift

2/19/2026

Center

US Forces Withdraw

The United States is withdrawing all forces from Syria, ending its anti-ISIS mission begun in 2014.
The decision follows the transfer of nearly 7,000 ISIS detainees to Iraq.
The United States supported the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against ISIS, but tensions rose as Washington engaged with the Assad regime.
Recent agreements between the SDF and Damascus aim to integrate security forces, paving the way for withdrawal.

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US Forces Transfer Detainees

The operation, led by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), transferred nearly 6,000 ISIS detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraqi custody to prevent a mass breakout.
The transfer began on January 21 and involved interagency coordination among U.S. intelligence, military officials, Iraqi authorities, and biometric identification planning.
Iraqi authorities are interrogating the detainees, while concerns persist about detainee treatment and the fate of families in camps such as al-Hol.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. completed its withdrawal from Iraq on December 18, 2011, after nearly nine years of military involvement, during which over 1.5 million troops were deployed. This withdrawal followed the 2008 U.S.–Iraq Status of Forces Agreement, which mandated troop exit by the end of 2011. The current U.S. withdrawal from Syria echoes this earlier decision, raising concerns about regional security and the fate of ISIS detainees.

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US Forces Withdraw

The United States is withdrawing all forces from Syria, ending its anti-ISIS mission begun in 2014.
The decision follows the transfer of nearly 7,000 ISIS detainees to Iraq.
The United States supported the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against ISIS, but tensions rose as Washington engaged with the Assad regime.
Recent agreements between the SDF and Damascus aim to integrate security forces, paving the way for withdrawal.

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