The U.S. should not withdraw troops from Syria, as Austin emphasized the mission's significance, according to AP.

The United States must maintain its military presence in Syria. This is crucial to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State (ISIS) as the primary threat following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's government.

This statement was made by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, as reported by RBK-Ukraine referencing an interview with the official conducted by Associated Press.

According to the Pentagon chief, American troops are still needed in Syria, particularly to ensure the security of detention camps housing tens of thousands of former ISIS fighters and their families.

Estimates suggest that between 8,000 and 10,000 ISIS terrorists are in these camps, with at least 2,000 of them considered extremely dangerous.

"If Syria is left unprotected, I believe that ISIS fighters will return to the mainstream. I think we still have work to do to keep our foot on ISIS's throat," Austin stated.

He added that a transitional government in Syria is still being formed, and it remains unclear how events will unfold in the future.

"The Syrian Democratic Forces have been good partners. At some point, the Syrian Democratic Forces may be absorbed by the Syrian military. And then Syria will control all the ISIS detention camps and, hopefully, will keep them under control. However, for now, we must protect our interests there," the Pentagon chief noted.

U.S. Troops in Syria

To combat ISIS in Syria, the U.S. has deployed around 2,000 troops, which is significantly more than the 900 that officials have claimed for years. They were sent in 2015 after militants seized a substantial amount of territory in Syria.

In operations against the Islamists, American forces collaborate with the Syrian Democratic Forces led by the Kurds. They provide cover for a group that Turkey considers a branch of the Kurdistan Workers' Party and identifies as a terrorist organization.

The continued presence of American troops came into question after rebels swiftly overthrew Assad on December 8, ending his family's decade-long rule.

Newly elected President Donald Trump attempted to withdraw all troops from Syria in 2018 during his first term. This led to the resignation of then-Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis.

When the "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham" group rose against Assad last December, Trump stated on social media that American forces should not intervene in this conflict.

The Fall of Assad's Regime and the Risk of ISIS Resurgence

On December 8, 2024, fighters from the Islamic group "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham" captured key cities in Syria, including the capital Damascus. Bashar al-Assad, along with his family, fled the country and sought refuge in Russia.

Currently, Syria is temporarily under the control of Prime Minister Muhammad Ghazi al-Jalali. He is ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people.

Immediately following the fall of Assad's regime, U.S. military forces launched airstrikes on ISIS camps in Syria. This is an attempt by the Americans to block the possibility of militants taking advantage of the current situation to regain activity in the central regions of the country.