BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:30 P.M.) – Private military contractors may replace the U.S. troops that are withdrawing from Syria, ex-Blackwater chief Erik Prince said this week.

According to Prince, the military contractors could not only protect the U.S.’ allies on the ground but also help counter Iran’s influence inside Syria.

“The United States doesn’t have a long-term strategic obligation to stay in Syria. But, I also think it’s not a good idea to abandon our allies,” he told Fox Business.

The ‘allies’ Prince is referencing the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who have helped capture most of the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) areas in northeast Syria.

As of now, there are no known U.S. military contractors in Syria; however, there are many Russians that are currently active across the country.