On Thursday, the Syrian Ministry of Defense stated that Syrian army units have seized control of the al-Tanf military base, which had been evacuated by American forces. The evacuation was reported to involve coordination between Syrian and American authorities. According to Reuters, U.S. troops left al-Tanf, located in northeastern Syria, and were heading toward Jordan. This base had previously served as a crucial operational hub for the global coalition against Islamic State during the Syrian civil war.

Al-Tanf's strategic location at the intersection of the borders of Syria, Jordan, and Iraq makes it a point of significant geopolitical interest. Established in 2014, the base played a critical role in operations aimed at countering threats from Islamic State fighters. The recent developments have raised concerns regarding the stability and security of the region as Syrian forces consolidate control in an area previously monitored by American troops.

The dynamics of U.S.-Syria relations have experienced notable shifts, particularly after Syria joined the anti-ISIS coalition last November during a visit by President Ahmed al-Sahra to the White House for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. This visit symbolized a thaw in relations but also indicated complex political interests at play in the ongoing international fight against extremism in the region. The implications of this takeover may influence future military and diplomatic engagements in the area.