Commentary by Russian military journalist Boris Rozhin.
US presidential electioneering.
US media reports that preparations are now underway for a full or partial withdrawal of US and coalition troops from Syria and Iraq, according to several senior US Defense Department officials.
Officials explained that the decision was made after a variety of factors, including growing pressure and escalating attacks Iran-backed militias in the region.
A troop withdrawal could take up to 90 days, depending on its size, scope and urgency.
Preparations for the withdrawal of troops were not officially announced, but tomorrow there should be a meeting between the leadership of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense and representatives of the Pentagon, where they will discuss the parameters for the withdrawal of troops. With the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, maintaining a presence in Northern Syria will become difficult for the United States.
One option is to urgently pump up the local Kurds with resources and weapons in order to preserve the possibility of further use of the Kurdish factor. Without the US, Kurdish autonomy in Northern Syria will quickly collapse.
Implementation of this decision would mean Iran's biggest strategic victory in years, for which it would easily pay in material and human costs.
Since Washington (and even more so in Tel Aviv) understands this, the United States will most likely delay the withdrawal process, plus internal opposition to the decision to withdraw troops, if it is made, is possible.
PS. The shelling of American bases in Syria and Iraq continues. Attacks on ships in the Red Sea continue. Sanctions and strikes have not solved any of the US strategic problems in the region.