The United States has reiterated its commitment to maintaining a military presence in Syria, despite growing pressure and criticism from Russia. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Ethan Goldrich affirmed that the Biden administration has no plans to withdraw American forces from the region, emphasizing the ongoing partnership with local forces to prevent the resurgence of ISIS and stabilize the war-torn country.
Goldrich, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, highlighted the US dedication to “strategic goals” in Syria, which include counterterrorism efforts and the protection of human rights. “The United States is committed to its partnership with local forces in Syria,” Goldrich said, referring to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). “Our aim is to prevent the return of ISIS and to establish stability in the region.”
Goldrich’s claims are strengthened by a continued commitment to humanitarian support. He noted that Washington had pledged $593 million in aid last spring, bringing the total US assistance since the conflict began to over $18 billion. “The humanitarian situation in Syria remains dire, with 90% of Syrians living below the poverty line,” Goldrich remarked, stressing the necessity of a comprehensive solution to the crisis.
The US has also made it clear that there will be no normalization of relations with the Assad regime unless there is “sincere and sustainable progress” in achieving the goals of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, which calls for a political solution to the Syrian conflict. “We will not normalize relations with the regime until the human rights of the Syrian people are respected, and they obtain the civil rights they deserve,” Goldrich stated.
This steadfast US stance comes as Russia, a key ally of the Assad regime, has increasingly voiced its frustration with the continued American presence in Syria. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently warned the Kurds in northeastern Syria – who are allied with the US – against relying on American protection, drawing parallels to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Lavrov accused the US of failing to achieve its counterterrorism goals and of attempting to establish a quasi-state in areas under its influence.
Lavrov criticized the US for allegedly exploiting Syria’s natural resources in regions outside of Assad’s control, claiming that revenues from these areas are not benefiting the Syrian state but are instead fueling efforts to create an independent entity. He urged the Kurds to negotiate with the Assad regime, warning them against placing their trust in the US, which he suggested could abandon them as it did its Afghan allies.
Despite these criticisms, the US remains resolute in its Syria policy. Goldrich emphasized that any change in the US relationship with the Assad regime would depend on significant shifts in the regime’s behavior. “The path to changing the relationship with the [Assad] regime is very clear,” he said. “If the regime changes its behavior…then we may have a different relationship, but it has to start from this point.”
The US presence in Syria continues to be an issue of contention between Washington and Moscow, with no signs of a resolution on the horizon. As the conflict in Syria drags on, the US maintains that its priorities are clear: preventing the resurgence of terrorism, alleviating human suffering, and seeking a political solution that respects the rights and aspirations of the Syrian people.
