Syrian Army Takes Control of Strategic Al-Tanf Military Base as US Troops Withdraw

Damascus. The Syrian army has taken control of the strategic Al-Tanf military camp. The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced that the Syrian government's army has taken control of the strategically important Al-Tanf military base, located near the Iraq and Jordan border.

According to the ministry, the camp was safely handed over in coordination between the Syrian army and the US side. A statement issued on Thursday mentioned that the Syrian Arab Army has taken responsibility for the security of the camp and surrounding areas, and has begun deploying troops in the nearby Syria-Iraq-Jordan border area.

It was stated that border security personnel will also be deployed in the coming days. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) also confirmed the troop withdrawal, calling it part of a planned phased transition. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated that monitoring for potential threats from ISIS will continue.

The Al-Tanf camp was established in 2014 as a major hub for the international coalition against ISIL during the Syrian civil war. Although ISIL was defeated in 2017, US troops remained present there.

The withdrawal of US troops comes as the Syrian government is expanding its control across the country. A new turn in the situation has occurred following a recent agreement, mediated by the US, to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into government structures.

It was reported that nearly 1,500 US soldiers were in Syria in 2025. However, international media reports indicate that this number has now decreased to 900. Reports are also emerging that the US military has reduced its activities from some camps in northeastern Syria.