The Syrian Army Takes Over Al-Tanf Base from American Forces

SadaNews - The Syrian Ministry of Defense has taken over the strategic Al-Tanf base located at the intersection of the borders with Iraq and Jordan (to the east) after the withdrawal of the American army from it following nearly 10 years of its presence there.

A statement from the ministry on the X platform indicated that after coordination between the Syrian and American sides, units of the Syrian army took control of Al-Tanf base and secured it and its surroundings.

It added that Syrian army units began to deploy along the Syrian-Iraqi-Jordanian borders in the Al-Tanf desert, and that the Ministry's border guard forces will start assuming their duties and deploying in the area in the coming days.

The Anadolu Agency reported from Syrian sources that American forces withdrew to "Base 22" inside Jordanian territory, located 22 kilometers from Al-Tanf base.

It noted that the number of American soldiers at Al-Tanf had previously been about 200 soldiers, while there is no precise data regarding the number of American forces stationed at "Base 22."

The United States expanded the base during the years 2017 and 2018 and equipped it with surveillance balloons which were later removed.

Washington used Al-Tanf base to monitor the military activities of Iran-backed groups and the Islamic State organization in an area extending hundreds of kilometers between the Jordanian border and the Euphrates River.

Source: Agencies