The United States is not planning to draw down its military presence on the territory of Syria, Politico newspaper reported, citing its source in the US administration
According to the source, some 900 troops will remain in Syria, including the Green Berets (a special unit of ground forces), to support and advise the SDF fighting the terrorist organisation Islamic State.
“I do not expect any change right now related to the mission or presence in Syria”, – the newspaper’s interlocutor said.
At the moment, most of Syria’s eastern and northeastern provinces of Hasakeh, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa are controlled by the SDF, who are supported by the United States. Since 2015, the US command has established nine military bases in the area.
However, in Damascus, the presence of the US military contingent is seen as an illegal occupation, which is accompanied by the looting of natural wealth belonging to the people of Syria. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin stressed at an online meeting of the UN Security Council that the most dire humanitarian situation is in the territories outside Damascus’ control, for which the countries actually occupying them are responsible.