Syria's SDF Says it Has Not Received Any Plans from US Forces to Withdraw

US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters stand guard at Al-Naeem Square, in Raqqa, Syria, Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. (AP)
US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters stand guard at Al-Naeem Square, in Raqqa, Syria, Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. (AP)
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Syria's SDF Says it Has Not Received Any Plans from US Forces to Withdraw

US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters stand guard at Al-Naeem Square, in Raqqa, Syria, Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. (AP)
US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters stand guard at Al-Naeem Square, in Raqqa, Syria, Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. (AP)

Syria's Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said on Wednesday the group had not received any plans from the US forces in northern and eastern Syria to withdraw.

"Of course, ISIS and other malicious forces are waiting for the opportunity of the US withdrawal to reactivate and reach the state of 2014," the SDF's spokesperson Farhad Shami told Reuters.

At the height of its powers in 2014, ISIS imposed a reign of terror over millions of people and claimed control over swathes of the combined territories of Iraq and Syria.

The US Department of Defense is developing plans to withdraw all US troops from Syria, NBC News reported on Wednesday, citing two US defense officials.

The US considers the Kurdish-led forces key allies against ISIS but neighbouring Türkiye regards them as a national security threat.



Israeli Military Begins ‘Ground Activity’ to Extend ‘Security Zone’ in Southern Gaza

 Displaced Palestinians, who flee from Rafah amidst ongoing Israeli military operations following Israel's renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip, arrive in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP)
Displaced Palestinians, who flee from Rafah amidst ongoing Israeli military operations following Israel's renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip, arrive in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP)
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Israeli Military Begins ‘Ground Activity’ to Extend ‘Security Zone’ in Southern Gaza

 Displaced Palestinians, who flee from Rafah amidst ongoing Israeli military operations following Israel's renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip, arrive in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP)
Displaced Palestinians, who flee from Rafah amidst ongoing Israeli military operations following Israel's renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip, arrive in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP)

The Israeli military said on Saturday it had begun "ground activity" in the Jneina neighborhood of Rafah to expand what it described as the security zone in southern Gaza.

On March 18, Israel resumed bombing and ground operations in Hamas which it said were intended to increase pressure on the Palestinian group Hamas to free hostages.