# US fires top military planner over alleged leaks

> US military planner Brett Sylvia dismissed after leaks report.
- Title: US fires top military planner over alleged leaks · Dawn
- Summary: US military planner Brett Sylvia dismissed after leaks report. US fires Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia for allegedly leaking classified information.
- Keywords: military, leaks, classified information, brett sylvia, joint staff, pentagon, trump, iran, strikes, Dawn
- Source: Dawn — https://dawn.com/news/2040735/us-fires-top-military-planner-over-alleged-leaks-reports
- Author: AFP
- Published: 2026-10-29T14:30:05+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: us, military, leaks, classified information, brett sylvia, joint staff, pentagon, trump, iran, strikes, news, politics
## US fires top military planner
US media reports Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia was removed from his role as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff.
## Alleged leaks cited as reason
CBS and Fox both reported Sylvia’s dismissal was related to leaks, with CBS citing a Pentagon official saying he failed three polygraphs about sharing classified information with media.
## Joint Staff statement
Joint Staff initially confirmed Sylvia’s departure but later withdrew statement saying it did not appropriately reflect full circumstances.
## Pentagon stance
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated Defense Department has zero tolerance for intentional unauthorized disclosure of classified information and took necessary personnel action.
## No name given
Parnell did not identify Sylvia by name and said no further comment will be made regarding the individual or circumstances of this action.
## Justice Department referral
This matter has been referred to the Justice Department for potential further legal action.
## Trump’s military purges
Since returning to office early last year, Trump has overseen a purge of top military personnel including chairman of Joint Chiefs Charles Brown.
## Other purged officers
Other senior officers pushed out include heads of US Army, Navy, Coast Guard, NSA, Air Force vice chief, NATO admiral, and three top military lawyers.
## Hegseth’s justification
Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said Trump slashed military leadership by 20 percent to ensure focus on war-fighting rather than 'woke' policies of previous administrations.
## Iran strikes context
Trump is believed to be weighing fresh strikes against Iran after US midterm elections next Tuesday.
## Trump’s strike reference
Trump referred to US-Israeli attacks on Tehran in February as 'Epic Fury' and did not give timing for potential new strikes.
## Current strike pattern
Neither US nor Iran have engaged in major land-based attacks since early September, settling into a pattern of strikes on commercial ships.
## Sylvia’s background
Sylvia previously led the 101st Airborne Division and headed a unit in Iraq.
## Key takeaway

US fires Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia for allegedly leaking classified information.