Washington - (Saba):
The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced on Friday its intention to reduce the number of its troops deployed in Syria from approximately 2,000 to fewer than 1,000 in the coming months.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that "the Secretary of Defense today ordered the consolidation of US forces in Syria... in select locations."
He added, "This deliberate, conditions-based process will reduce the US military presence in Syria to fewer than 1,000 troops in the coming months."
The US State Department reported on Friday that intelligence indicates imminent attacks are expected in areas frequented by civilians in Syria, including markets, hotels, and places of worship.
In a statement, the State Department advised US citizens against travel to Syria at this time and urged US citizens currently in Syria to leave immediately.
US media outlets reported that Washington had begun withdrawing a number of its military personnel as part of its plan to withdraw several hundred of its troops stationed in northeastern Syria. According to initial reports, the number could be reduced to 500 soldiers.
Reports, citing officials, stated: "As part of the first wave of reductions, the number of military personnel has been reduced from approximately 2,000 to 1,400. In addition, the US military has decided to close three of its eight small operational bases in the northeast of the country."
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