In Azaz, Syrians torn after withdrawal of US troops Syrians living in Azaz, in northern Syria near the Turkish border, react to the announcement of the withdrawal of US troops. While some inhabitants are pleased, others fear a return of the presence of the Islamic State after the Americans' departure or a recovery of the area by the Syrian regime. About 2,000 American military personnel are stationed in northeastern Syria alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Arab-Kurdish coalition fighting the Islamic state group. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES