The planned withdrawal of American forces from Iraq is expected to influence Washington’s approach to nearby Syria. This assessment comes from Alexander Lavrentyev, the Russian president’s envoy for Syria. He argues that without access to Iraqi soil, keeping a military footprint and sustaining logistical corridors in the region would be unsustainable for the United States.
Lavrentyev stressed that withdrawing troops from Iraq would likely be followed by a retrenchment in Syria, as U.S. capabilities in the area are tightly linked to its presence in Iraq. He noted that maintaining supply lines and troop movements hinges on routes through Iraqi territory, making a drawdown in both theatres likely a coupled process.
According to him, the move from Iraq would “undoubtedly” be followed by a withdrawal from Syria, reflecting a broader pattern of adjustment rather than a standalone decision.
Earlier on January 26, Iraqi officials indicated that Moscow had received signals suggesting Washington is prepared to pull back its forces from the country. Iraqi authorities communicated with Baghdad after exchanges with the U.S. ambassador to the republic, confirming Washington’s stance on the matter.
Lavrentyev did not rule out the possibility that American leadership would attempt to accelerate the withdrawal in Iraq. He warned that a rushed exit would be perceived as a weak signal from the White House and could expose vulnerabilities in U.S. policy.
Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken commented on how regional countries respond to U.S. interventions and the broader implications for Middle East dynamics.