Damon Mcknight
The United States has a vast military presence across the world, with troops stationed in Afghanistan, Syria, and several countries in Africa. In 2021, the U.S. had approximately 171,477 service members located overseas, in addition to owning over 600 locations used by the military in various countries and territories.
In Afghanistan, the U.S. had around 14,000 troops stationed in the country as of 2020, but this number has likely decreased following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. In Syria, there are roughly 900 U.S. troops, with small bases in the northeast of the country, such as al Omar Oil Field and al-Shaddadi.
The U.S. military presence in Africa has also grown significantly over the years, with the establishment of Africa Command in 2007, which is responsible for operations and relations with all African countries. Many of these deployments are composed of special operations and special forces units focusing on counterterrorism and military training.
While the number of U.S. troops stationed in these regions may fluctuate due to changing political and strategic considerations, their presence underscores the United States' global military influence and interests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of US troops in Afghanistan (2020) | 14,000 |
| Number of US troops in Syria (2020) | 800 |
| Number of US troops in Syria (2024) | 900 |
| Number of US troops in Africa (2021) | 171,477 |
| Number of US troops in the Middle East (2024) | 30,000 |
What You'll Learn
US troops in Afghanistan
The US war in Afghanistan was America's longest war, lasting 20 years. It ended on August 31, 2021, when the last US soldier left the country.
The US-led invasion of Afghanistan began in 2001, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States by the Islamist group Al-Qaeda, which was based in Afghanistan at the time. The invasion aimed to dismantle Al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban regime from power.
In the early years of the war, the US focused on counterterrorism and removing the Taliban from power. However, as the war progressed, the US also became involved in nation-building efforts, working to establish a new government in Kabul and strengthen the Afghan National Security Forces.
The number of US troops in Afghanistan varied throughout the war. At its peak in 2011, the US had more than 100,000 troops in the country. By 2021, the number had decreased significantly, and there were only around 2,500 US troops remaining when President Biden announced the complete withdrawal of US forces by September 11, 2021.
The decision to withdraw was not without controversy. Some critics argued that the US should have stayed longer to secure a peace deal between the Taliban and the Afghan government or to ensure the protection of women's rights. Others supported the withdrawal, citing the high costs of the war in terms of lives lost and financial spending.
The withdrawal itself was challenging, with US troops working around the clock to evacuate citizens, embassy personnel, and Afghan allies. In total, the US evacuated more than 120,000 people, including around 5,500 Americans and 2,000 Afghans who had worked with NATO.
The end of the US war in Afghanistan has raised concerns about the future of the country and the potential for it to once again become a safe haven for terrorist groups. However, the US has stated that it will continue to address terrorist threats in Afghanistan through “over-the-horizon” capabilities, which allow them to strike terrorist targets without a large number of boots on the ground.
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US troops in Syria
The US has a long history of military involvement in the Middle East, and this includes Syria. In 2014, the US officially intervened in the Syrian Civil War, with the stated aim of fighting ISIS. The US currently continues to support the Syrian rebels and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) opposed to both ISIS and Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
The US has around 900 troops in Syria, in small bases like al Omar Oil Field and al-Shaddadi, mostly in the northeast of the country. There is also a small outpost near Syria's border with Iraq and Jordan, known as the Al Tanf Garrison.
The US troops in Syria are there to fight against Islamic State militants and to advise local forces. However, they have also come under frequent attack from Iran-backed forces.
In 2019, the US announced a drawdown of US ground forces in Syria, with President Trump ordering the pullout of all 2,000-2,500 US troops. However, this decision was reversed, and in 2021, there were still around 900 US soldiers operating in Syria.
The US military presence in Syria has been controversial, with critics arguing that it has caused civilian casualties and fuelled opposition movements. There have also been concerns about the legality of the intervention under international law, as it was conducted without the consent of the Syrian government.
Despite these controversies, the US military continues to play an active role in Syria, supporting the SDF and conducting airstrikes against ISIS and other targets. The US has also provided extensive training, funding, and intelligence to selected Syrian rebel commanders.
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US troops in Iraq
The US has had a military presence in Iraq for decades, with the number of troops peaking at 170,000 in 2007. In 2011, the US withdrew most of its troops from Iraq, but in 2014, the US re-intervened at the request of the Iraqi government to combat the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). In 2017, Iraq declared victory against ISIL, and in 2020, the US and Iraq began discussing the partial withdrawal of American combat troops. In 2021, the US ended its combat mission in Iraq, leaving 2,500 troops in the country to serve as trainers and advisors to Iraqi security forces.
In 2020, the Iraqi Council of Representatives passed a non-binding measure to expel all foreign troops from the country, and in 2024, the US and Iraq began formal talks on winding down the US-led military coalition. The presence of US troops in Iraq has been a contentious issue, with some Iraqi factions calling for their withdrawal, while others have acknowledged the support they provide in fighting against Islamic State militants. US troops in Iraq have frequently come under attack from Iran-backed forces, and the US has retaliated with airstrikes. The US has stated that it aims to set up a committee to negotiate the terms of the mission's end, but the Iraqi government has condemned US airstrikes as violations of its sovereignty.
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US troops in Kuwait
The US has a significant military presence in Kuwait. In 2020, it was estimated that there were about 13,000 US military personnel spread among several bases in the country. This number has fluctuated over the years, with 50,000 US troops stationed in Kuwait in 2003, and 80,000 expected by the end of February that year. In 2021, 4,000 troops from Fort Bragg were deployed to Kuwait to aid evacuations from Afghanistan.
Kuwait hosts several US Army bases, including Camp Arifjan, Camp Doha, Camp Virginia, Camp Buehring, Camp Patriot, Camp New York, Camp Spearhead, and Ali Al Salem Air Base. Camp Arifjan is the most prominent of these, accommodating elements of the US Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, as well as military personnel from several other countries. It serves as a forward logistics base, Aviation Classification and Repair Activity Depot, helicopter ground support base, and motor pool for the entire Southwest Asian Theatre.
In addition to the Army bases, the US Navy also has assets in the region, with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Groups deployed to the Middle East in 2023.
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US troops in Qatar
Qatar is home to Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military base in the Middle East. The base is located 20 miles southwest of the Qatari capital of Doha and was built in 1996. It was constructed at an initial cost of $1 billion, with Qatar footing the bill. The base is host to around 8,000-13,000 US troops, though this number has been higher in the past, especially during the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.
Al Udeid Air Base is the forward headquarters of the US military's Central Command. Its Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) oversees combat missions, surveillance flights, and drones across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. The base has one of the longest runways in the Persian Gulf at 12,500 feet and can accommodate up to 120 aircraft. The base also has parking lots for C-17 transporters and long runways to accommodate heavy bombers.
The base is a strategic asset for the US, providing a launchpad for airstrikes against ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria, as well as surveillance and drone operations. It also serves as a key hub for evacuations, as seen during the US airlift from Afghanistan in 2021.
The presence of US troops in Qatar is part of a broader US military presence in the Middle East, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This presence serves to reassure allies, carry out training, and support operations in the region.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2021, there were 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan, 800-900 in Syria, and a broad number of small deployments in Africa.
US troops are stationed in these regions for different reasons. In Afghanistan, US troops were part of a 20-year war that ended in 2021. In Syria, US troops are fighting against Islamic State militants and advising local forces. In Africa, US troops are part of counterterror and military training operations.
Yes, the number of US troops in Afghanistan and Syria has changed over time. In Afghanistan, there were over 100,000 US troops in 2011, while in Syria, there were 1,700 US troops in 2018.
US military deployments abroad can reassure allies, deter rivals, and support humanitarian missions and military training. However, they can also cause noise pollution, long-term environmental harm, and opportunities for crime. Additionally, deployments can be costly to maintain due to opposition from host countries.
