The recent surprise offensive on Aleppo by Syrian rebel groups has put the US in a challenging position of not fully supporting either side while maintaining a force posture of nearly 1,000 troops in Syria as part of the ongoing mission to combat ISIS. The Pentagon has distanced the US from the offensive, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a designated terrorist organization, urging de-escalation.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan highlighted concerns about HTS being a terrorist organization while acknowledging the pressure faced by the Assad government backed by Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah. The US has designated HTS as a terror organization due to its ties to al Qaeda.
The US has also reiterated its stance on not lifting sanctions on President Bashar al-Assad's regime, citing no change in behavior. These sanctions have been in place since 2011 to pressure the Syrian regime for a democratic transition.
Despite the unrest in Aleppo, where rebel forces made significant advances, roughly 900 US service members continue their anti-ISIS mission in Syria. The US military is in communication with Russia to prevent miscalculations, especially following Russia's aerial offensive against armed opposition forces in Aleppo and Idlib provinces.
US and coalition forces in Syria have faced attacks, including a recent rocket attack on a US facility, which resulted in no injuries or infrastructure damage. Additionally, a self-defense strike was conducted near MSS Euphrates to eliminate a potential threat to the facility.
As the situation in Syria evolves, the US remains vigilant, with no changes in force posture reported yet. The ongoing developments in Syria underscore the complex dynamics at play in the region, requiring close monitoring and coordination with regional partners.
