US troops have launched their withdrawal from al-Qasrak, which is noted as the largest American military base in Syria. This withdrawal, reported by Al Jazeera, marks the first of its kind and is expected to unfold over a period of several weeks. The initial phase of the operation involves the transportation of soldiers and equipment from other bases including al-Shaddadi, located south of Hasakah, and al-Omar oil field in Deir ez-Zor province. Recent reinforcements from these bases were moved to al-Qasrak as a preparatory step towards the withdrawal.

This move comes at a time of shifting dynamics in the Syrian conflict, with the US presence in the region being a significant aspect of its foreign policy in the Middle East. The evacuation of troops can potentially lead to variability in power balances and influence over local and regional actors, including the Syrian government, Kurdish forces, and various militia groups.

Further consideration will be needed regarding the implications of this withdrawal on the ground situation in Syria, particularly related to security, the fight against ISIS, and the humanitarian crisis. Observers will be closely monitoring the reaction from both the Syrian government and Kurdish authorities, as the absence of US support could affect many operations and strategies currently in place in the region.