Syrian government forces have taken control of the strategic al-Tanf military base in southeastern Syria after the withdrawal of U.S. troops, marking a significant shift in the country’s security landscape. The Syrian Defence Ministry announced on Thursday that army units had assumed control of the base and its surrounding areas following coordination with U.S. forces.
The al-Tanf base, located near the junction of the Syria-Jordan-Iraq borders, was established in 2014 and served as a key outpost for the U.S.-led coalition’s efforts against the Islamic State (IS) group. In recent weeks, U.S. troops reportedly began dismantling equipment and redeploying to nearby facilities in Jordan as part of a broader recalibration of America’s military presence in Syria.
The U.S. Central Command confirmed that the withdrawal was an “orderly departure” and emphasized that U.S. forces remain ready to respond to any emerging IS threats in the region. Syrian forces securing al-Tanf now plan further deployments along the desert border areas, and border guard units are expected to assume additional positions in the coming days.
The transition follows a recent agreement to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syrian national institutions, a deal Washington has described as a step toward unity after years of civil conflict.
News as reported
