U.S. Pulls Troops From Site of Famed Battle Against Russian Mercenaries in Syria

According to a recent report from the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, the U.S. military has completed its withdrawal from Mission Support Site Euphrates, a secluded outpost in Syria, which was the site of a significant confrontation in 2018 between American special operations forces and hundreds of Russian mercenaries.

The recent closure marks a significant step in the ongoing troop reduction strategy in Syria, which commenced in May. This initiative has resulted in a decrease in the U.S. military presence. The streamlined operations in collaboration with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are reducing the number of personnel from approximately 2,000 to 1,000. The report fails to provide clarity on the dismantling or transfer of the Euphrates base to another party.

Mission Support Site Euphrates, situated on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River in Deir ez-Zor province, gained international attention following the Battle of Khasham in February 2018. In a dramatic turn of events, around 30 U.S. special operators, comprising Army Green Berets, Delta Force troops, Air Force Combat Controllers, and Marines, found themselves under siege. They were positioned alongside their SDF allies when they faced an onslaught from roughly 500 pro-regime fighters, a significant number of whom were linked to Russia’s Wagner Group.

Despite being outnumbered, the Americans remained resolute and, supported by coordinated air support from drones, jets, helicopters, and an AC-130 gunship, successfully thwarted the attack without any casualties. In a significant turn of events, hundreds of attackers met their demise. A Wagner mercenary was later heard stating, “To put it simply, we’ve had our [expletive] asses kicked.”

The base has faced a relentless barrage of rocket and mortar attacks in the time that has followed. In a landscape marked by ongoing developments, U.S. troops persist in conducting joint exercises and counter-ISIS operations in collaboration with the SDF, despite the significant shift in power following the fall of the Assad regime to rebel forces in December 2024.

Even with the reduction of troops, American forces continue their involvement in operations against ISIS in Syria. Recent reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights detail a series of raids that have resulted in the deaths of high-ranking ISIS officials in Aleppo and surrounding areas.

The Pentagon has announced that Operation Inherent Resolve, the ongoing effort to combat ISIS, will persist, albeit with a reduced number of troops deployed on the ground. The exit from Mission Support Site Euphrates marks the conclusion of a significant era of direct engagement between U.S. forces and Russian-affiliated groups. Yet, it does not indicate a cessation of America's military involvement in Syria.

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