Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
U.S. forces have withdrawn from the strategically significant Al-Tanf military base in eastern Syria, relocating personnel and equipment to Jordan, according to multiple regional and international news agencies citing security and military sources. The move signals a major shift in Washington’s military footprint in Syria and raises new questions about the future of counterterrorism operations and regional security arrangements.
Reuters, citing two security sources, reported Wednesday that American troops had evacuated Al-Tanf and redeployed to Jordan. The base, established in 2014, sits at the strategic tri-border area linking Syria, Iraq and Jordan and has long served as a key outpost for the U.S.-led international coalition fighting the Islamic State group (ISIS).
The German news agency dpa, quoting sources in Syria’s Homs province, said U.S. forces left Al-Tanf and headed toward Tower 22, a military facility located in the border triangle area. According to those sources, the withdrawal follows what they described as Syria’s accession to the international coalition and its emergence as an “active partner” in operations targeting ISIS. They pointed to recent security operations in Damascus, its countryside, Daraa and Aleppo, where Syrian authorities reportedly detained senior ISIS figures.
Agence France-Presse also cited two Syrian military sources confirming that U.S. forces stationed in Syria as part of the anti-ISIS coalition had withdrawn from Al-Tanf toward Jordan. One military source told AFP that U.S. troops had “fully withdrawn” from the base and that Syria’s Ministry of Defense had deployed forces to fill the vacuum left behind. A second source said the withdrawal process had begun roughly two weeks earlier and that coordination would continue with U.S. forces now positioned in Jordan.
Strategic Importance of Al-Tanf
Al-Tanf has been one of the most prominent U.S. military installations in Syria, located in the eastern countryside of Homs province. Its position along a key highway connecting Baghdad to Damascus made it a strategic chokepoint, aimed in part at disrupting Iranian supply routes and limiting the movement of armed groups across borders.
Over the years, the base was repeatedly targeted by drone attacks, some claimed by Iraqi armed factions aligned with Iran. Prior to the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s government on December 8, 2024, Al-Tanf had already become a flashpoint in the broader regional struggle involving U.S. forces, Iran-backed militias and Syrian government troops.
In addition to Al-Tanf, reports from Syrian and regional media suggest that U.S. forces have been scaling back their presence in other parts of eastern and northeastern Syria. According to sources cited by dpa, American troops have begun evacuating bases in Deir Ezzor and Hasakah provinces, with the Al-Shaddadi base in Hasakah reportedly vacated earlier this week.
Syrian Forces Move In
Iraqi and Syrian media outlets reported that units from the Syrian Army’s 54th Division have begun deploying inside and around the Al-Tanf facility following the coalition’s departure. The reports said Syrian forces are establishing a network of checkpoints in and around the base as part of a broader security plan implemented by the operational command.
Syrian state-affiliated media confirmed the complete withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces from Al-Tanf, describing it as the end of a prolonged foreign military presence in the strategically sensitive zone. Convoys carrying U.S. personnel and military equipment were seen heading toward Jordanian territory, though no official figures have been released regarding the number of troops involved.
A Broader Realignment
The reported withdrawal comes amid evolving political dynamics inside Syria and shifting regional alliances. Since the collapse of Assad’s government late last year, Syria’s new leadership has sought to recalibrate its international relationships, including outreach to Western and regional powers. Claims that Syria has joined the international coalition against ISIS, if formally confirmed, would represent a significant realignment after years of strained relations with the United States and its allies.
For Washington, the move may reflect a reassessment of its military posture in Syria, where U.S. forces have operated primarily to combat ISIS and support local partner forces. While the territorial “caliphate” declared by ISIS was dismantled in 2019, sleeper cells remain active, particularly in Syria’s vast desert regions.
Pentagon officials have repeatedly stated in recent years that U.S. forces in Syria are present solely to prevent the resurgence of ISIS and not to engage in broader nation-building efforts. The consolidation of troops in Jordan could allow the United States to maintain operational reach into southern and eastern Syria while reducing its direct exposure on Syrian soil.
Unanswered Questions
Despite multiple confirmations from regional sources, U.S. officials have yet to issue a detailed public statement outlining the scope and rationale of the withdrawal. It remains unclear whether the move represents a complete end to the American presence in eastern Syria or part of a phased redeployment and restructuring of coalition operations.
Key questions also remain regarding the future security architecture in the tri-border area, the coordination mechanisms between Syrian forces and the international coalition, and the potential impact on Iran-backed militias that have sought to expand their influence in the region.
As Syrian forces move into Al-Tanf and U.S. troops reposition across the border, the withdrawal marks a pivotal moment in a conflict that has drawn in global and regional powers for more than a decade. Whether the transition stabilizes the area or opens a new chapter of uncertainty will depend largely on how effectively local and international actors manage the evolving balance of power.
