Rep. senator seeks vote to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A U.S. senator said on Wednesday he plans to push for a vote on a bill that could withdraw U.S. troops from Syria. The vote could take place next week.
In a statement to Responsible Statecraft Kentucky Republican Senator, Rand Paul, said “900 U.S. troops remain in Syria with no vital U.S. interest at stake, no definition of victory, no exit strategy, and no congressional authorization to be there.”
Paul stressed the importance of elected representatives discussing the merits of deploying American soldiers and fulfilling their constitutional duty.
American forces have experienced increased rocket and drone attacks by Iranian-backed militants, with the escalation intensifying since Oct. 7 with the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel war.
The Department of Defense reports a total of 66 attacks on U.S. troops in Syria and Iraq since Oct. 17, with 34 occurring in Syria. At least 62 Americans have been injured in both countries, according to the Treasury Department.
Paul’s resolution invokes the War Powers Resolution, which would mandate troop withdrawal within 30 days unless Congress authorizes war.
Critics argue that the Syria operation falls outside the scope of previous authorizations, such as the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs, however, the U.S. military has been engaged in conflicts with various actors in Syria since 2015.
The lack of a clear mission and the proximity of the conflict to the Gaza border raise concerns about potential escalation and a larger regional war, which may complicate or facilitate the argument for troop removal.
The upcoming vote on Senator Paul’s bill will be closely watched as it could have significant implications for the U.S. military’s presence in Syria and the broader geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East.