Michael Hernandez
February 22, 2019•Update: February 23, 2019
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
About 400 U.S. forces will remain in Syria after the U.S. completes a pullout from the country long-sought by President Donald Trump, according to a report published Friday.
That figure is double what the White House announced late Thursday to make up a "small peacekeeping group" in the country following the withdrawal.
But the Washington Post cited an anonymous senior Trump administration official who said 200 troops will comprise the peacekeeping force, and an additional garrison of about 200 more will remain in southern Syria near the border with Iraq and Syria "for the foreseeable future.”
The base at at-Tanf has been widely viewed by some within the administration as a critical foil to Iran establishing a land route from Tehran to Damascus via Iraq.
There was confusion surrounding the White House's announcement Thursday with some reports saying the 200 announced troops would be split between northern Syria for the stabilization force, and at-Tanf.
The U.S. is continuing efforts to corral support for an international stabilization force to take the place of the U.S. forces departing the country, but Washington's closest allies have so far balked at the proposition after Trump announced the U.S.'s then-complete exit without consulting them.
Trump's announcement in December also drew stern pushback from some of his closest legislative allies, including Senator Lindsey Graham who hailed the announcement as crucial to achieving U.S. objectives in Syria.
"A safe zone in Syria made up of international forces is the best way to achieve our national security objectives of continuing to contain Iran, ensuring the enduring defeat of ISIS, protecting our Turkish allies and securing the Turkish border with Syria," Graham said, using another name for Daesh.
