DAMASCUS, Syria – The Syrian government has taken control of all military bases previously occupied by US forces after the final American convoy departed Qasrak air base in northeastern Hasakah province on Tuesday, according to regional officials and verified satellite imagery. The withdrawal marks the end of a nine-year US military presence in Syria that began as part of the campaign against ISIS.
The Pentagon confirmed the completion of what it termed a “phased repositioning” of approximately 900 troops to Iraq and Kuwait. “Our mission to defeat ISIS continues, albeit through different force posture arrangements,” a Defense Department spokesperson told reporters on background.
Analysts note the handover creates a security vacuum in Syria’s oil-rich northeast, where Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had partnered with US troops. “This leaves our SDF allies exposed to potential Turkish incursions and Syrian regime reprisals,” said Michael Knights of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
Russian military police were observed deploying to perimeter positions around Qasrak within hours of the US departure, according to conflict monitors. The Kremlin later announced plans for joint Russian-Syrian patrols of the area.
Regional experts warn the withdrawal could accelerate Turkey’s long-threatened offensive against Kurdish groups. “Ankara sees this as a green light to create its proposed 30-kilometer ‘safe zone’,” said Dareen Khalifa of International Crisis Group.