The US has extended its national emergency concerning Syria for another year, citing ongoing threats to US national security and stability in the region. In a statement released Thursday, the White House underscored the need to maintain the emergency order due to security developments in Syria that “undermine the campaign to defeat ISIS, endanger civilians, and threaten to destabilize the region.”
The decision, signed by President Biden, continues the state of emergency declared by former President Trump in October 2019 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Initially imposed in response to Turkey’s military operation against PKK-aligned Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria, the order also introduced sanctions targeting key Turkish officials and entities involved in the operation.
The White House statement noted that the situation in Syria continues to pose “an unusual and extraordinary threat” to US foreign policy and security. “The Syrian conflict, combined with the persistent activity of ISIS in both Syria and Iraq, requires continued attention,” the statement read. US Central Command recently reported that ISIS operations in the region have doubled in 2024 compared to the previous year, further justifying the need for extended US involvement.
Meanwhile, the US State Department confirmed that there is “no planned timetable for the withdrawal of US forces from Syria.” According to statements released earlier this month, US troops will remain in the region “as long as necessary to support counter-ISIS operations.” The US has approximately 900 troops stationed in Syria, largely concentrated in the northeast, where they support Kurdish-led forces in combating ISIS remnants.
“There is no specific date for withdrawal,” a State Department spokesperson said. “The mission is conditions-based and will continue until we are confident that ISIS no longer poses a significant threat to regional stability.”
In a joint statement with Iraq, Washington reaffirmed its commitment to combat ISIS through September 2026, supporting operations from Iraqi territory. The statement stressed that while US forces will gradually shift their focus in Iraq by 2025, the military presence in Syria will persist to address ongoing threats from ISIS.
The extension of the national emergency and the indefinite troop presence in Syria come amid heightened tensions in the region. The White House cited the Assad regime’s actions, including its use of chemical weapons and support for terrorist organizations, like Hezbollah, as central factors in the decision to extend the emergency order.
In May, Biden extended a separate state of emergency focused on the Syrian regime’s human rights abuses and its destabilizing activities in the region. That order highlights the regime’s previous occupation of Lebanon, possession of weapons of mass destruction, and support for terror networks, all of which the administration argues continue to pose significant risks.
As the US maintains its presence in Syria, the Biden administration faces ongoing diplomatic challenges, balancing military operations with efforts to prevent further escalation in a conflict that involves multiple international actors, including Russia and Iran.
While no immediate changes in US policy toward Syria are anticipated, officials emphasize that the mission remains critical to ensuring “long-term stability in the region and safeguarding against the resurgence of ISIS.”
