The Pentagon is requesting $130 million to support the SDF and other factions in Syria
The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) has requested $130 million in the 2026 fiscal year budget to support armed groups operating in Syria, including the YPG/PKK, the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF), and other factions in southern Syria, under the pretext of strengthening their capabilities in the fight against ISIS.
According to a Pentagon document, the allocated funds are intended to fund training and equipment programs to combat ISIS, provide salaries to SDF fighters, and support Free Syrian Army forces deployed in the south of the country.
The YPG will continue to be supplied with light weapons.
The document warned that reducing this type of support could allow ISIS to regain its activity, which it described as a threat to the security of regional states and US interests in the region.
In addition, approximately $7.42 million of the $130 million has been allocated to the Free Syrian Army, with the possibility of expanding its operations against ISIS cells in the Syrian Badia region.
The document shows that the volume of US support for these groups in Syria is gradually declining, reaching $156 million in the 2024 budget, then decreasing to $147 million in 2025, and then falling to $130 million in the 2026 draft budget.
In a significant shift, the document addressed specific support for Lebanon for the first time, with the US Department of Defense proposing a $15 million allocation to enhance the Lebanese Army’s “counter-terrorism” capabilities.
The document explained that the Lebanese army is currently focused on implementing the ceasefire in the area south of the Litani River bordering Israel, but it needs additional support to confront ISIS, especially given the group’s continued ability to infiltrate and supply across the Syrian-Lebanese border.
This, according to the Pentagon, requires enhanced security coordination and external support.
