Newsletters
Syria's defense minister and the commander of the US-led coalition against Daesh held talks on Thursday over the transfer and security of the al-Tanf base, a strategically significant outpost situated at the convergence of the Iraqi and Jordanian borders.
The phone call between Maj. Gen. Murhaf Abu Qasra and Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Lambert, who leads the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), came just a day after the US military confirmed it had completed its withdrawal from the garrison.
The Syrian Defense Ministry said the conversation covered "matters related to the al-Tanf base and arrangements for its handover to the Syrian Army and its security in a way that ensures stability in the surrounding area." Both sides emphasized the need for continued coordination and stronger cooperation frameworks to reinforce regional stability and support bilateral relations.
Syrian government forces have since taken control of the base following the American pullout, which ended nearly a decade of US military presence at the site.
US Central Command said in a statement on Thursday that the withdrawal, completed on Feb. 11, was part of a "deliberate and conditions-based transition" under CJTF-OIR, the coalition established in 2014 to combat Daesh.
CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper stressed that despite the departure, "US forces remain poised to respond to any Daesh threats that arise in the region as we support partner-led efforts to prevent the terrorist network's resurgence." He added that "maintaining pressure on Daesh is essential to protecting the US homeland and strengthening regional security."
The al-Tanf base, expanded in 2017 and 2018, served as a key node in US efforts to monitor the military activities of Iran-backed groups and Daesh across a vast stretch of territory between the Jordanian border and the Euphrates River. The US military deployed surveillance balloons from the site to track movements across hundreds of kilometers.
Although around 200 US troops were reportedly stationed at al-Tanf at one point, the base's role extended well beyond its modest footprint. US forces are said to have relocated to Tower 22, a base situated near the demilitarized zone on the Syria-Jordan border, approximately 22 kilometers from al-Tanf. No confirmed figures are available on the number of US personnel currently deployed there.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
