U.S forces are still needed in Syria to prevent ISIS from reconstituting as a major threat following Assad's ouster, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
The U.S. and its partners want to ensure the Islamic State can’t fill the leadership void following President Bashar Assad’s overthrow, officials said.
While Combined Joint Task Force — Operation Inherent Resolve will be mothballed, the U.S. military expects to continue its presence in Iraq, officials say.