US begins withdrawing troops from its largest base in Syria, Reuters reports
Illustrative photo: The US withdraws troops from its base in Syria (Getty Images)
The US has begun withdrawing troops from its largest base in Syria — Qasrak, located in the northeast of the country, according to Reuters.
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Details of the redeployment
According to the outlet, citing sources, dozens of trucks, some carrying armored vehicles, left the base on the morning of February 23. Reuters footage captured the convoy moving along a highway on the outskirts of Qamishli city.
For over ten years, Qasrak served as the main hub for the US-led international coalition in the fight against the Islamic State. Despite the withdrawal from this facility, the coalition still maintains a base in Rmelan, near the border with Iraq.
Timing and reasons for the withdrawal
Sources told the outlet that the troop withdrawal will take several weeks to a month. It is currently unclear whether this exit is temporary or permanent.
A senior US official said part of the forces are leaving as part of a "deliberate and conditions-based transition." He added that a large-scale US military presence is no longer necessary, as the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa is ready to take responsibility for counterterrorism.
Last week, The Wall Street Journal also reported US plans to withdraw the entire contingent of around 1,000 service members.
US troop withdrawal from Syria
Previously, the BBC reported that the US plans to remove the remainder of its military contingent from Syria in the coming months. American troops have been in the country since 2015 as part of the campaign against the Islamic State. The current withdrawal involves roughly 1,000 personnel.
A White House representative said the move is part of a transition process and was made possible with Damascus’ agreement to independently take on counterterrorism responsibilities.
At the same time, amid the US exit from Syria, Washington is increasing its military presence in the region due to rising tensions with Iran.
