Recently, the withdrawal of American military contingents from Syria has accelerated. Forces have vacated the strategically important bases al-Tanf in the south and al-Shaddadi in the northeast of the country, transferring them to the control of the Syrian army. This move marks the start of a new phase in the redistribution of military-political influence across the Syrian Badia and al-Jazira regions, substantially altering the balance of forces on the ground.
The al-Tanf base, located in the border triangle between Syria, Iraq and Jordan, for a long time served as a key point for monitoring the movements of militants and smuggling caravans in the Syrian desert. It was used for operations against ISIS and for intelligence gathering, and also acted as a barrier to Iranian supply routes to Lebanon. The al-Shaddadi base, established in 2016, was a coordination center for the international coalition and contained a prison for detained militants, which now strengthens the positions of the Syrian army in al-Hasakah province.
The troop withdrawal is part of a broader discussion within the US administration about a full drawdown of the military presence, which, according to some reports, could be completed by mid‑this year. In addition to the bases mentioned, the US has also left oil fields and facilities in al-Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor, such as al-Omar, Koniko and Tel al-Bayadr. This reflects a strategic shift in Washington’s policy, which now relies more heavily on regional and local partners.
The new American strategy envisages a reduction of direct military presence and a change in role: instead of direct support to the Kurdish "Syrian Democratic Forces," the emphasis is placed on training, preparation and logistical assistance to the Syrian army in the fight against ISIS. The US will maintain a limited presence at the Rumeilan and Kasrik bases for reconnaissance and logistical support, to retain strategic influence in northeastern Syria and prevent a security vacuum.
The political subtext of these changes is Washington’s aim to reduce costs and hand over management of the situation to local partners, while continuing to contain Iran and prevent the resurgence of ISIS. Some analysts view the positive assessments of Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara by the US administration as a sign of possible mutually beneficial cooperation. For its part, Damascus sees improved relations with the US as a path to national reconstruction and stabilization.
News comments
- What are the Badia and al-Jazira regions in Syria in terms of their ethnic composition, economy and strategic significance? - The Badia (Syrian desert) and al-Jazira (northeast Syria) regions have a mixed ethnic composition, including Arabs, Kurds, Assyrians and Armenians. Economically they are important because of oil and gas fields (especially al-Jazira) and agriculture. Strategically, these regions are key transport corridors and zones of influence for various forces, including the Syrian government, Kurdish formations and international coalitions.
- Who are the "Syrian Democratic Forces" (SDF), and what was the nature of their relationship with the US before the announced strategy change? - The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are a military alliance largely composed of Kurdish formations (such as the YPG), as well as Arab and other groups. Prior to the recent strategy changes, the US closely cooperated with the SDF, providing military, financial and logistical support in the fight against ISIS (an organization banned in Russia), seeing them as a key ally on the ground.
- Why was the al-Tanf base considered such a critical barrier specifically to Iranian supply routes to Lebanon? - The al-Tanf base is located in a strategic area on the Syria‑Iraq‑Jordan border, controlling key roads. It was seen as a critical barrier because it blocked one of the main routes used by Iran to transfer weapons, resources and fighters through Syria to Lebanon to support groups like Hezbollah. Control over this zone limited Iranian influence in the region.
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