Published Jan 03, 2025
NEWSWEEK
The head of a Syrian militia supported by the United States has told Newsweek his faction hoped U.S. troops would remain in the country, as uncertainties arise under a new Islamist leadership and the attempted resurgence of the Islamic State (ISIS).
The call from Colonel Salem Turki al-Anteri of the Syrian Free Army (SFA) comes as President-elect Donald Trump has signaled skepticism over the deployment of roughly 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria, as he prepares to take office later this month.
While a number of these forces are deployed alongside the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeast, others are posted to the southwest desert garrison known as Al-Tanf, where the SFA operates.
"The Syrian Free Army values its partnership with the United States and the Coalition in the fight against ISIS," Anteri told Newsweek. "This support has been crucial in weakening ISIS and helping stabilize parts of Syria."
"We believe that having U.S. troops in the Al-Tanf area is still important to prevent ISIS and other extremist groups from coming back," he added. "The SFA is committed to fighting extremism and working toward a Syria that is free, safe, and stable for all Syrians."
Anteri acknowledged the situation in the country was complex but asserted that U.S. military presence continued to serve as an "extremely important" deterrent to ISIS staging a comeback.
Newsweek has reached out to Trump's transition team, the Syrian Interim Government and U.S. Central Command for comment.
U.S. infantrymen of the Georgia Army National Guard conduct an exercise alongside a member of the Syrian Free Army on October 31 near the Al-Tanf garrison in Syria. Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve/
U.S. Army/Staff Sergeant Mahsima Alkamooneh
Why It Matters
The steps pursued by the second Trump administration could have vast consequences for the balance of power surrounding Syria as local, regional and international stakeholders vie for influence in the country.
Trump vowed to "stop wars" after winning a second term of presidency in November 2024, signaling a desire to oversee a more peaceful tenure than his predecessor, President Joe Biden.
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After declaring victory over ISIS in 2019, Trump intensified calls for a U.S. military withdrawal from Syria. He reduced the U.S. presence in formerly SDF-held areas in northern Syria, allowing both Syrian troops and rebels backed by Turkey to advance.
Now, the former Al-Qaeda offshoot of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is in de facto control of Damascus and large parts of the country.
While Trump openly asserted that the U.S. "should have nothing to do" with the Syrian conflict in early December, the SFA and SDF, two top U.S. partners on the ground, now face tough questions over how to deal with HTS and its leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani.
At the same time, the U.S.' top regional ally, Israel, has staged its own incursion into southwestern Syria, seizing more territory in the disputed Golan Heights region.
The threat of an ISIS resurgence looms as the militants seek to capitalize on Syria's disarray and claim more ambitious attacks abroad, most recently being linked to a deadly car ramming in New Orleans. The outgoing administration has stepped up strikes against ISIS in Syria in recent weeks.
Why It Matters
The steps pursued by the second Trump administration could have vast consequences for the balance of power surrounding Syria as local, regional and international stakeholders vie for influence in the country.
Trump vowed to "stop wars" after winning a second term of presidency in November 2024, signaling a desire to oversee a more peaceful tenure than his predecessor, President Joe Biden.
Read more Syrian civil war
Zelensky to Boost Post-Assad Syria Relations Amid Russia Pullback
Shamsud-Din Jabbar: Is the Islamic State Terror Threat Growing Again?
Donald Trump Warns USA Is 'Breaking Down'
Top Ukraine Official Pledges Support for New Syrian Government
After declaring victory over ISIS in 2019, Trump intensified calls for a U.S. military withdrawal from Syria. He reduced the U.S. presence in formerly SDF-held areas in northern Syria, allowing both Syrian troops and rebels backed by Turkey to advance.
Now, the former Al-Qaeda offshoot of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is in de facto control of Damascus and large parts of the country.
While Trump openly asserted that the U.S. "should have nothing to do" with the Syrian conflict in early December, the SFA and SDF, two top U.S. partners on the ground, now face tough questions over how to deal with HTS and its leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani.
At the same time, the U.S.' top regional ally, Israel, has staged its own incursion into southwestern Syria, seizing more territory in the disputed Golan Heights region.
The threat of an ISIS resurgence looms as the militants seek to capitalize on Syria's disarray and claim more ambitious attacks abroad, most recently being linked to a deadly car ramming in New Orleans. The outgoing administration has stepped up strikes against ISIS in Syria in recent weeks.
Syrian Free Army commander Colonel Salem Turki al-Anteri poses for this undated photo provided by his faction. He told Newsweek having U.S. troops in the Al-Tanf area is important to prevent ISIS. Syrian Free Army
What to Know
The SFA, not to be confused with the former rebel coalition known as the Free Syrian Army, is one of many opposition groups to emerge throughout Syria's civil war, that first erupted in March 2011.
The conflict pit rebels and jihadis against the government, led by President Bashar al-Assad and backed by Iran and Russia, until its downfall on December 8 at the hands of an 11-day insurgent offensive, led by the former Al-Qaeda offshoot of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
Originally known as Jaysh Maghawir al-Thawra, or the Revolutionary Commando Army, the SFA teamed up with a U.S.-led coalition to fight ISIS in the 55-kilometer deconfliction zone established around Al-Tanf in 2016.
While the SFA did not directly participate in the successful rebel campaign spearheaded by HTS to oust Assad last month, the group took advantage of the disorder to seize more land, inclding the ancient city of Palmyra.
Now, Anteri stated that the group would focus on accelerating humanitarian efforts, such as providing aid to the Rukban refugee camp, located near the border between Jordan and Syria.
"We are happy with the fall of the regime," Anteri said. "We can now provide aid and support to disparate populations like the Rukban, and plan on spreading relief and aid efforts towards Palmyra."
"While we were not directly involved in the fall of the Assad regime, we played a critical role in protecting and providing for the people of Rukban," Anteri said. "These have been incredibly difficult years for the people of Syria, but through our sustained efforts, many individuals are finally able to return to their homes."
While Assad was in power, the Syrian government and its allies accused the U.S. and its partners of deliberately neglecting the population of Rukban and using the Al-Tanf deconfliction zone to shelter militants.
With Assad having fled to Moscow, the SFA must today figure out how to work with HTS, which the U.S. considers to be a terrorist organization due to its prior allegiance to Al-Qaeda.
Sharaa rescinded ties with Al-Qaeda in 2016, three years after he cut ties with ISIS, but critics, including Vice President-elect JD Vance, have expressed skepticism over the militant leader's promises for nationwide reforms.
Anteri also pointed out that the SFA's outlook differed from that of HTS.
"It's important to clarify that the Syrian Free Army is separate from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and has always had different goals and values," Anteri said. "We have worked with our Coalition partners to support humanitarian efforts, protect civilians, and fight extremism."
When it comes to Sharaa's transitional government, Anteri stated that the SFA is "open to working with any political group that is committed to peace and stability in Syria.
"However, this must align with the values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. We know the situation is complicated, but we believe that dialogue and cooperation are the key to building a Syria free from violence and extremism," Anteri added.
The other major U.S. partner in Syria, the SDF, has voiced even greater doubts about HTS, its jihadi background as well as its alliance with the Syrian National Army, a rebel coalition supported by Turkey, which views the SDF as an offshoot of the insurgent Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Anteri said that the SFA has allied with Ankara in the past but also saw the SDF as a potential partner in the quest to find unity in war-torn Syria.
What to Know
The SFA, not to be confused with the former rebel coalition known as the Free Syrian Army, is one of many opposition groups to emerge throughout Syria's civil war, that first erupted in March 2011.
The conflict pit rebels and jihadis against the government, led by President Bashar al-Assad and backed by Iran and Russia, until its downfall on December 8 at the hands of an 11-day insurgent offensive, led by the former Al-Qaeda offshoot of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
Originally known as Jaysh Maghawir al-Thawra, or the Revolutionary Commando Army, the SFA teamed up with a U.S.-led coalition to fight ISIS in the 55-kilometer deconfliction zone established around Al-Tanf in 2016.
While the SFA did not directly participate in the successful rebel campaign spearheaded by HTS to oust Assad last month, the group took advantage of the disorder to seize more land, inclding the ancient city of Palmyra.
Now, Anteri stated that the group would focus on accelerating humanitarian efforts, such as providing aid to the Rukban refugee camp, located near the border between Jordan and Syria.
"We are happy with the fall of the regime," Anteri said. "We can now provide aid and support to disparate populations like the Rukban, and plan on spreading relief and aid efforts towards Palmyra."
"While we were not directly involved in the fall of the Assad regime, we played a critical role in protecting and providing for the people of Rukban," Anteri said. "These have been incredibly difficult years for the people of Syria, but through our sustained efforts, many individuals are finally able to return to their homes."
While Assad was in power, the Syrian government and its allies accused the U.S. and its partners of deliberately neglecting the population of Rukban and using the Al-Tanf deconfliction zone to shelter militants.
With Assad having fled to Moscow, the SFA must today figure out how to work with HTS, which the U.S. considers to be a terrorist organization due to its prior allegiance to Al-Qaeda.
Sharaa rescinded ties with Al-Qaeda in 2016, three years after he cut ties with ISIS, but critics, including Vice President-elect JD Vance, have expressed skepticism over the militant leader's promises for nationwide reforms.
Anteri also pointed out that the SFA's outlook differed from that of HTS.
"It's important to clarify that the Syrian Free Army is separate from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and has always had different goals and values," Anteri said. "We have worked with our Coalition partners to support humanitarian efforts, protect civilians, and fight extremism."
When it comes to Sharaa's transitional government, Anteri stated that the SFA is "open to working with any political group that is committed to peace and stability in Syria.
"However, this must align with the values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. We know the situation is complicated, but we believe that dialogue and cooperation are the key to building a Syria free from violence and extremism," Anteri added.
The other major U.S. partner in Syria, the SDF, has voiced even greater doubts about HTS, its jihadi background as well as its alliance with the Syrian National Army, a rebel coalition supported by Turkey, which views the SDF as an offshoot of the insurgent Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Anteri said that the SFA has allied with Ankara in the past but also saw the SDF as a potential partner in the quest to find unity in war-torn Syria.
HTS chief and de facto leader of Syria Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who now goes by his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa on December 30. U.S.-backed Syrian rebels want U.S troops to keep ISIS down. Ali Haj Suleiman/Getty Images
What People Are Saying
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump addressing the situation in Syria during a December 16 press conference: "I don't think that I want to have our soldiers killed, but I don't think that will happen now anyway because the one side has been decimated ... Nobody knows what the final outcome going to be in the region ... I believe it's Turkey. I think Turkey is very smart. [Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan]'s a very smart guy, and he's very tough."
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova discussing the presence of U.S. troops in Syria during a December 18 press briefing: "The Russian side regularly reminds the global community about the dangers of an IS resurgence. Events in the Middle East highlight the destructive impact of Washington's policies and those of its allies, who have been illegally present in Syria since 2014 under the guise of fighting terrorism, while undermining Syria's sovereignty, including through the illegal presence of U.S. troops in the Trans-Euphrates region and Al-Tanf."
Colonel Salem Turki al-Anteri of the Syrian Free Army (SFA) told Newsweek: "While we understand that there are many factors involved in military decisions, we believe the continued presence of U.S. forces in Syria is extremely important in order to stop extremist groups from returning."
What Comes Next
Much of how the conflict in Syria plays out this year may rest on Sharaa's capability to balance local factions and internal clashes.
So far, Sharaa has proven pragmatic in engaging with other rebel groups, the SDF and even some former Assad officials.
He's also expressed enthusiasm for better ties with the U.S., Turkey and Arab nations, while also opening the door for maintaining relations with Assad's top military backers, Russia and Iran, and avoiding a direct confrontation with Israel.
As for the fate of U.S. troops in Syria, Trump has avoided offering any decisive responses.
Of the two U.S. partners on the ground, however, the SDF appears to be in a more precarious position than the SFA due to Trump's stated desire to deal with Turkey, but the leverage of both groups may ultimately be linked to the next administration's Syria policy.
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