Newsletters
The U.S. military has begun withdrawing from its final military base in northeastern Syria, according to local sources, signaling a potential end to Washington’s direct military presence in the country.
U.S. forces have started evacuating the Kasrak base, located in a rural area of Hasakah province near the Tel Tamer line. Dozens of logistics trucks carrying military equipment departed the base in convoys heading toward the Iraqi border, the sources said.
Over the past month, the United States has withdrawn from its military bases in the al-Shaddadi area of northeastern Syria and the al-Tanf garrison, a strategic outpost near the borders of Syria, Jordan and Iraq.
The US military is currently maintaining a limited presence at deployment points in Rmelan, Harab Jir and Life Stone, according to regional sources.
With the evacuation of the Kasrak base, the United States appears to be preparing to conclude its military deployment in Syria.
The Wall Street Journal reported that following the transfer of Daesh militants to Iraq, the U.S. military is preparing to fully withdraw its remaining roughly 1,000 troops from Syria within a two-month period.
Two U.S. officials told the newspaper that withdrawals from al-Tanf and al-Shaddadi were completed earlier this month.
A senior administration official said the drawdown was underway because the Syrian government is now taking the lead on counterterrorism operations, though U.S. forces would retain the ability to respond to Daesh-related threats in the region if necessary.
The United States has maintained a military presence in Syria since 2015 as part of operations against the Daesh terrorist organization.
Last month, forces loyal to Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa took control of most territory previously held by the SDF in a rapid offensive. Damascus and the SDF reached a fragile, U.S.-backed ceasefire in January, and the SDF has agreed to integrate into the Syrian army.
The Trump administration aims to expand its diplomatic presence in Syria following the consolidation of power by Sharaa, who overthrew longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.
This is not the first time President Donald Trump has ordered US troops out of Syria. In 2018, during his first term, he abruptly directed the withdrawal of roughly 2,000 U.S. troops after declaring victory over Daesh, arguing that Türkiye could fill the security vacuum.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
