REPORT: U.S. WILL CUT AFGHAN FORCE IN HALF NEXT YEAR

BEIRUT — The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces warned Thursday that the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria will allow a revival of the radical Islamic State group and jeopardize the final phase of the battle against the militants.

In its first statement since President Donald Trump’s unexpected decision to end the U.S. military presence in Syria was reported Wednesday, the SDF noted that the battle against the Islamic State group is not over yet. It said the gains made so far could be reversed if American forces leave.

“The White House decision to withdraw from northern and eastern Syria will negatively affect the campaign against terrorism and will provide its supporters the political and military momentum to recover again,” the statement said.

“The final defeat has not yet been achieved. It is at a crucial and critical stage that requires concerted efforts by everyone, and greater support to all combat forces on the ground, not withdrawal.”

The U.S. military main- tains a small force of around 2,000 troops in northeastern Syria, where they have been helping the Kurdish-led SDF battle the Islamic State. An offensive for the last sliver of territory controlled by the militants in southeast- ern Syria was launched in September, but the Islamic State has put up a tough fight, and the battle has progressed more slowly than expected.

U.S. military officials estimate there are still around 2,000 Islamic State fight- ers holding out in the area, around the town of Hajin, and that there could be many thousands more sympathiz- ers and supporters preparing to regroup in cells elsewhere.

Bombings claimed by the Islamic State have been on the rise in recent months, including one Wednesday in Raqqa, the group’s former de facto capital. That attack came as Trump tweeted that the militants had been defeated and that U.S. troops would be pulled out.

Turkey and the Syrian government have both been threatening to use force to dislodge the SDF from northeastern Syria, and there is also a risk that a U.S. withdrawal could ignite a new regional conflict.

“Withdrawal under these circumstances will lead to instability and insecurity, creating a political and military vacuum, leaving its people between the claws of hostile forces and groups,” the SDF statement said.

MAURICIO LIMA / THE NEW YORK TIMES Shiar Gherde (left) a commander with the Americanbacked Syrian Democratic Forces, earlier this year at a front line position on the outskirts of Manbij, Syria.