U.S. begins withdrawing troops from Syria

The United States has begun withdrawing troops from Syria, but remains committed to the "next phase" of fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, according to a Pentagon statement.

"The Coalition has liberated the ISIS-held territory, but the campaign against ISIS is not over," said Dana White, chief Defense Department.

"We have started the process of returning U.S. troops home from Syria as we transition to the next phase of the campaign," she continued.

The Pentagon, however, will not provide further details out of concern for "force protection and operational security," she said.

"We will continue working with our partners and allies to defeat ISIS wherever it operates," White said.