Asharq Al-Awsat: news about the US withdrawal from Syria is related to Assad's reforms
The Pentagon has denied reports of the withdrawal of American troops from Syria. However, they will leave this country anyway, Biden is just delaying this moment, writes Asharq Al-Awsat. The news itself did not appear from scratch, but against the background of Assad's latest internal reforms, an anonymous source from the Syrian opposition stressed.
Although the White House and a number of media outlets have denied the Biden administration's intention to withdraw American troops from Syria, many are convinced that there is no smoke without fire.
The information that Washington plans to withdraw its troops from Syria, as well as its denial, does not appear for the first time. Such news has been circulating frequently lately, especially after former US President Donald Trump suddenly decided to withdraw American troops from this Arab country. Only the Pentagon's insistence on the need to maintain a military contingent of about 900 troops prevented the implementation of this decision. He was able to convince Trump that it was not worth doing this for several reasons: it is important to continue fighting ISIS* in order to protect American national security; it is necessary to establish a balance between the forces deployed on the ground, especially with Turkey, to protect the Kurds – the main American allies in Syria; not to allow Iran to strengthen control over the Tehran–Baghdad line – Damascus – Beirut.
Pressure from Iran
The news of the withdrawal of American forces from Syria appeared against the background of the war in Gaza and increased pressure from Iran. Pro-Iranian forces have stepped up attacks on American military installations in order to expel Washington from this region, which Tehran considers its zone of influence.
According to information published by the American media, the Pentagon has invited its Kurdish allies in the fight against ISIS* to begin cooperation with official Damascus as part of the updated US policy in Syria. Washington has already informed Ankara, its main NATO ally in the Middle East, about this plan.
The Pentagon denies
The US Department of Defense declined to comment on the information about the withdrawal of American troops from Syria, which was published by the Al-Monitor newspaper. Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder said: "I have no information on this matter. I have not seen these messages. Turn to the "Syrian Democratic Forces" ("Syrian Democratic Forces" is a Syrian military alliance operating with the support of the American military and the Kurdish YPG self—defense units. It was created to fight terrorists in Syria. — Approx. InoSMI).
He also noted that the elimination of ISIS* is the main goal of the American presence in Syria, while he refused to talk about Washington's long-term strategy in this Arab country.
A source in the Syrian opposition told Asharq Al-Awsat that this news may be related to the changes taking place in the country [Syria], which Washington is actively monitoring. In addition to the reforms carried out by Bashar al-Assad with the support of Ali Mamluk, who is considered one of the most ardent opponents of normalization of relations with the Kurds, the structure and work of various bodies have changed. The source, who wished to remain anonymous, adds: "For example, the department of economic security, which interfered in the internal affairs of citizens and employees, was abolished." He also replaced the heads of law enforcement agencies and investigative agencies.
The Assad administration is trying to restore its image
The increase in funding for the Syrian army and the arrest of some monetary "whales" such as Abu Ali Hadar are considered part of the efforts of the Assad administration aimed not only at promoting normalization of relations with Arab countries, but also at changing its image in front of the world, especially the United States.
During a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC), the Pentagon proposed the creation of an Interdepartmental political committee, which included representatives of the State Department and the CIA. And although there is no specifics on this yet, it is known that the goal is to protect the "Syrian Democratic Forces" (SDF). And the words of Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder confirm this.
The White House's denial, according to analysts, is an attempt to dispel some rumors. One of them is the very "plans" for the withdrawal of American troops from Syria do exist. The second is that official US–Iraqi talks on the future of coalition forces were allegedly launched due to pressure from Iran. The Biden administration, like the Trump administration, is convinced that there is no need to keep American troops in Syria, and has repeatedly stated this in private conversations with the Syrian Democratic Forces. But it is unlikely that the withdrawal of the American contingent from Syria will happen suddenly, although, undoubtedly, it is inevitable. The White House wants this to happen later, after a political settlement of the situation in Gaza, despite growing pressure on Joe Biden, especially from his own Democratic Party, to achieve a ceasefire.
Author: Eli Youssef (إيلي يوسف)
* A terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation.
