U.S. CENTCOM Commander Meets with SDF in Syria, Reaffirms Commitment to Anti-ISIS Campaign
By Kardo Roj
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla met with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) leadership during a recent visit to Syria, discussing security challenges, the ongoing Defeat-ISIS campaign, and regional stability.
The meeting, which took place between March 6-7, was part of a broader Middle East tour by Gen. Kurilla, which included stops in Jordan, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. In Syria, he met with U.S. military commanders, servicemembers, and SDF leaders, receiving updates on counterterrorism operations and efforts to prevent the resurgence of ISIS.
Gen. Kurilla’s engagement with SDF officials comes amid renewed ISIS activity in parts of Syria, particularly in Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa, where sleeper cells continue to target security forces and civilians. The US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS remains active in joint operations with the SDF, conducting raids against ISIS hideouts and reinforcing security in detention facilities housing thousands of ISIS-linked detainees.
Gen. Kurilla emphasized the importance of:
Preventing an ISIS resurgence through intelligence-sharing and targeted operations.
Enhancing border security to disrupt militant movements.
Supporting stability efforts in northeast Syria, where governance and security remain key challenges.
The US-SDF partnership has been a cornerstone of counter-ISIS efforts since 2015, but it faces increasing pressure from regional actors, including Turkey and Damascus. Ankara continues to view the SDF as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and has carried out cross-border strikes targeting SDF positions.
At the same time, Damascus has escalated its rhetoric against the SDF, accusing it of aligning with foreign forces. The Syrian government’s recent military operations in Latakia and Tartus have also heightened concerns about a broader conflict, with the SDF closely monitoring developments.
The U.S. military maintains approximately 900-2000 troops in Syria, primarily in Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor, as part of its commitment to preventing ISIS from regrouping. However, calls for a U.S. withdrawal have intensified in recent months, particularly from Iran-backed groups and some U.S. lawmakers questioning the long-term viability of the mission.
Despite these challenges, Gen. Kurilla reaffirmed that counterterrorism cooperation with the SDF remains a priority for CENTCOM.
“These face-to-face meetings are imperative to building and maintaining strong, effective relationships with our partners in the region,” Gen. Kurilla said in a statement, adding that direct engagements help CENTCOM “understand the unique challenges, complexities, and opportunities to safeguard stability and counter malign activities.”
With ISIS threats persisting and regional tensions escalating, the future of U.S. operations in Syria remains uncertain, but for now, the US-SDF partnership continues to play a central role in efforts to contain the extremist group.