DAMASCUS, Syria — The Syrian government has taken full control of all military bases previously occupied by US forces following the departure of the final American convoy from Qasrak air base in Hasakah governorate, according to defense officials and regional analysts.
The withdrawal marks the end of a nine-year US military presence in northeastern Syria that began in 2015 as part of the international coalition against ISIS. Satellite imagery reviewed by independent monitors shows Syrian Arab Army units moving into positions vacated by US troops over the past month.
“This represents a significant strategic shift in the regional balance of power,” said Rami Abdulrahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, noting that Russian-backed Syrian forces now control all former coalition bases west of the Euphrates River.
Pentagon officials confirmed the completion of the withdrawal but declined to comment on whether any residual special operations forces remain in the country. The US State Department maintains its position that the Assad government lacks legitimate sovereignty over northeastern Syria.
Analysts suggest the handover could lead to increased tensions between Syrian government forces and Kurdish-led SDF militias who previously partnered with US forces. Turkish military movements along the northern border have also intensified in recent weeks.