The U.S. military has completed the withdrawal from the Tanif base in southern Syria, transferring control to the interim government as part of its strategy to combat ISIS threats.
The U.S. Central Command announced on the 12th that the withdrawal from the Tanif base, a crucial stronghold for combating the Islamic State (ISIS) in southern Syria, was completed on the 11th. The interim government in Syria confirmed that the base had been turned over from U.S. forces. This action highlights the U.S.'s ongoing efforts to withdraw military presence from the Middle East while still ensuring that responses to ISIS threats are managed effectively. General Cooper from Central Command emphasized that the withdrawal was part of a careful transition strategy and that the U.S. remains prepared to counter any ISIS threats, continuing partnerships with regional allies such as the interim government.
The Tanif base, located near the border between Iraq and Jordan, has been a critical base for the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS. At its peak, ISIS controlled about one-third of the territories in both Iraq and Syria but has faced substantial losses due to coalition operations. The defeat of ISIS was marked by the loss of its last major stronghold in March 2019 and the death of its leader, al-Baghdadi, in a U.S. raid in October 2019. However, recent reports suggest that ISIS is regaining strength, taking advantage of the power vacuum following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024.
As of July last year, about 1500 U.S. troops were stationed in Syria, aiming to maintain stability and keep ISIS constraints active. The withdrawal from Tanif signifies a significant shift in U.S. strategy in the region, emphasizing a transition to local governance while still keeping a watchful eye on the resurgence of terrorism in a landscape fraught with instability.
