Syrian Authorities Take Over All Military Bases Previously Occupied by American Forces

SadaNews - Damascus confirmed on Thursday that it has taken over all military bases previously occupied by American forces, which have been deployed in the country for years as part of the international coalition against the terrorist organization "ISIS".

The Syrian Foreign Ministry welcomed in a statement "the ongoing and final handover of military sites previously occupied by American forces in Syria to the Syrian government", adding that the handover was conducted "with high professionalism and full coordination between the Syrian and American governments".

This came shortly after the Defense Ministry announced that its forces had taken control of the Qusirk base in the northeastern part of the country after the withdrawal of coalition forces.

The official news agency (SANA) quoted the ministry as saying in a statement that the Syrian army "is taking over the Qusirk airbase in the Al-Hasakah countryside after the withdrawal of international coalition forces".

In recent months, Syrian authorities have expanded their control over areas in northeastern Syria that were under the control of the "Syrian Democratic Forces" led by the Kurds, following clashes between the two sides that led to an agreement to integrate the institutions of self-management within the framework of the state.

Syria officially joined the international coalition against the "ISIS" organization, while American forces withdrew from several bases where they were stationed as part of the coalition last month.

A military source, who requested anonymity, stated that "forces from the 60th Division and the 66th Division entered the Qusirk base after the withdrawal of American forces from it", confirming "the base is free of American forces and that they have completely withdrawn from it".

Journalists observed on the international road near the city of Qamishli a convoy composed of about 15 American armored vehicles, in addition to armored troop carriers and vehicles flying the United States flag, heading toward the Al-Yaarubia border gate with Iraq.

The Qusirk base is located in the Al-Hasakah countryside, about 40 kilometers north of the city, and is considered one of the most significant American bases in northeastern Syria. In recent months, it has served as a logistical center for the movement of convoys and military equipment toward Iraq.

During February, the United States gradually withdrew from the Al-Tanf base on the Syrian-Iraqi border, as well as from a base on the outskirts of the town of Al-Shaddadi, which housed a prison where Kurdish forces held elements of the extremist organization, before government forces advanced into the area; then in March, they withdrew from the Rmeilan base in northeastern Syria.

In February as well, just days before the onset of the war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran, three sources stated that the American forces leading the international coalition against the "ISIS" organization intended to complete their withdrawal from Syria within a month.

The United States deployed soldiers in Syria and Iraq as part of the international coalition against the "ISIS" organization, which it formed in 2014, after the organization controlled vast areas of both countries until it was driven from its last stronghold in Iraq in 2017 and from Syria in 2019.

Washington, which led the international coalition against "ISIS", has for years been the main supporter of the Kurds in fighting the organization until its defeat.

However, after the ousting of the previous Syrian regime more than a year ago, Washington quickly became a key supporter of Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara and his efforts to unify the country after years of prolonged conflict.