Syria has officially assumed full control of all military installations previously occupied by US forces, marking a significant development in the region. This handover, which Damascus states reflects the successful integration of Kurdish-led fighters into national structures, concludes a chapter of foreign military presence in the country.
The announcement, made on Thursday, follows the final departure of US soldiers and equipment from the Qasrak air base, situated in the northeastern governorate of Hasakah. This withdrawal brings an end to a US military presence that commenced in 2014, when American forces initially joined the fight against ISIL (ISIS) alongside Kurdish fighters who later formed the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
In a notable diplomatic move, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa hosted the two most senior figures of the SDF, military commander Mazloum Abdi and political wing head Ilham Ahmad, in Damascus on Thursday. Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and the presidential envoy overseeing the integration process were also present at these crucial discussions.
Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomed the completed transfer of the bases, emphasizing that it underscores the government’s commitment to consolidating state authority across the entire country. This includes previously autonomous border regions and the northeast, which had long operated outside Damascus’s direct control. The ministry further stated that the transfer was executed in full coordination with the United States, highlighting what it described as a constructive relationship that has evolved since President al-Sharaa’s meeting with then-US President Donald Trump at the White House last November.
Confirming the transition, US Central Command, responsible for American troops in the Middle East, informed AFP that US forces “have completed turning over all of our major bases in Syria as part of a deliberate and conditions-based transition.” This strategic handover stems from a deal forged in January between Damascus and the SDF, which had previously governed substantial areas of northern and eastern Syria with tacit US backing.
Following a brief conflict between Syrian government forces and the SDF, control over much of the territory held by the group was seized before both sides reached a new agreement in March. Under the terms of this latest accord, Kurdish fighters are being integrated into the Syrian national army, Syrian security forces have deployed to the urban centers of Hasakah and Qamishli, and control of border crossings and civilian institutions has been transferred to Damascus.
Syria’s decision to join the international coalition against ISIL in November represented a pivotal moment, recasting Damascus as a partner rather than an impediment. This shift fundamentally altered the rationale for a continued US military presence in Syria. According to Syria analyst Charles Lister, the final contingent of US soldiers and equipment was routed overland through Jordan, rather than Iraq, a measure taken to minimize exposure to potential attacks by Iranian-backed armed groups operating in the region.
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