U.S. Troops Remain in Syria to Counter ISIS Threat, Says Defense Secretary Austin

As the situation in Syria remains volatile, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has emphasized the necessity of keeping American troops in the region to prevent the Islamic State (ISIS) from re-establishing itself as a major threat. In a recent interview, Austin highlighted that U.S. forces are critical for maintaining the security of detention camps holding tens of thousands of former ISIS fighters and their families, many of whom are still considered dangerous.

The detention camps are home to an estimated 8,000-10,000 individuals, with at least 2,000 being particularly high-risk. Austin warned that if Syria is left unsecured, ISIS could regroup and return to prominence, posing a significant threat. "I think that we still have some work to do in terms of keeping a foot on the throat of ISIS," Austin said.

Despite previous efforts by former President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria, the current administration has maintained a presence of approximately 2,000 troops, a significant increase from the 900 initially deployed. These troops work alongside the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to combat ISIS, although this partnership has created tensions with Turkey, which views the SDF as an affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a designated terrorist organization.

Austin also noted that the situation in Syria remains fluid, with the future of the SDF and the ongoing evolution of the Syrian government still uncertain. He mentioned that at some point, the SDF may be integrated into the Syrian military, but for now, the U.S. must continue to protect its interests in the region.