Syrian government forces have taken control of the Al-Tanf garrison in the country’s southeast, a strategic military base near the border with Jordan and Iraq, following the withdrawal of US troops. The handover, confirmed by both the Syrian Ministry of Defence and US Central Command (Centcom), marks a significant shift in the regional security landscape and the ongoing US military presence in Syria.
The Syrian Ministry of Defence stated on , that Syrian army units had “secured the base and its perimeters” through coordination with the US military. The ministry added that border guard forces would be deployed in the coming days along the Syrian-Jordanian-Iraqi border.
Centcom confirmed the “orderly departure” of US forces on , describing it as part of a “deliberate and conditions-based transition” under Operation Inherent Resolve. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of Centcom, stated that US forces “remain poised to respond to any ISIS threats that arise in the region as we support partner-led efforts to prevent the terrorist network’s resurgence.”
The Al-Tanf garrison, established in , served as a key hub for US-led operations against Islamic State (ISIS) militants, who previously controlled the area. It was also used to train opposition fighters, though these forces were outside the control of the Syrian government for many years. The base’s strategic location at the intersection of the three countries made it a crucial point for monitoring regional activity, including that of Iran, according to reporting from Al-Monitor.
The withdrawal from Al-Tanf follows a period of shifting US policy towards Syria. In recent months, the US has conducted numerous strikes against ISIS targets, capturing or killing more than 50 militants, according to Centcom. However, the broader context involves a realignment of relationships within the region, culminating in a meeting between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and US President Donald Trump in .
Following that meeting, the US lifted economic sanctions that had been in place for over a decade, and al-Sharaa agreed to join the anti-ISIS coalition. This shift in US policy facilitated the handover of Al-Tanf, which was reportedly coordinated with the Syrian Free Army, a militia previously trained by US troops but now aligned with the Syrian government. A security official told The National that the US troops were replaced within an hour by Syrian army units.
The move also comes after agreements reached between Syrian authorities and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to integrate them into the Syrian army. As part of this process, the US military has been transferring thousands of alleged ISIS extremists from prisons run by the SDF in northeastern Syria to Iraq for prosecution. This transfer of detainees began last month and is “near complete,” according to a US official.
The Al-Tanf withdrawal is not an isolated event. US forces have also reportedly vacated positions in Hasakah Governorate, including the Ash Shaddadi base. The departure from Al-Tanf effectively closes a chapter in the Pentagon’s decade-long campaign against ISIS in Syria, though Centcom maintains its commitment to countering the terrorist group’s resurgence.
The implications of this shift are multifaceted. The Syrian government now has full control over a strategically important border crossing, enhancing its ability to secure its territory and regulate movement between Syria, Jordan, and Iraq. The withdrawal also reflects a broader recalibration of US foreign policy in the Middle East, prioritizing a different set of alliances and security concerns. While the US continues to monitor the region for ISIS activity, the direct military presence at Al-Tanf has ended, marking a significant change in the dynamics of the Syrian conflict and the wider regional power balance.
The future role of US forces in Syria remains uncertain, but the withdrawal from Al-Tanf signals a continued drawdown and a shift towards a more limited, focused approach to counterterrorism operations. The Syrian government’s control of the base and surrounding area is expected to consolidate its authority in the region and further integrate previously fragmented opposition groups into the national army.
