US Completes Withdrawal From Key Base in Syria as Part of a Larger Drawdown
April 16, 2026
U.S. forces have completed their withdrawal from Qasrak Air Base, in Syria’s Hasakah province, according to Syrian officials
The United States has completed its withdrawal from the Qasrak air base in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province, marking the end of a more than decade-long military presence in the country. The final convoy of American soldiers and equipment departed the installation on Thursday, and Syrian army forces from the 60th Division immediately entered and assumed control. U.S. Central Command confirmed the handover, stating it was part of a deliberate and conditions-based transition, effectively concluding the American ground mission that began in 2014.
The American intervention, codenamed Operation Inherent Resolve, was initiated to combat the Islamic State (IS/ISIS) militant group after it seized vast territories in Syria and Iraq. For years, the U.S. partnered with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), providing training, arms, and air support that proved crucial in the campaign. This alliance successfully led to the territorial defeat of the ISIS caliphate in March 2019, though the U.S. mission continued with the stated goal of preventing a resurgence of the extremist group.
The departure from Qasrak was the final step in a broader drawdown of American forces that has been underway for several months. Earlier this year, U.S. troops vacated other key installations, including the Al-Tanf garrison near the Jordanian and Iraqi borders, and bases in Al-Shaddadi and Rmeilan. In total, approximately 2,500 U.S. service members have been withdrawn from the country. Convoys carrying military hardware were seen moving toward both Iraq and Jordan, with some reports indicating the Jordanian route was chosen to mitigate risks from Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.
This military withdrawal follows a significant political realignment in the region. In January, the Syrian government and the SDF, long-time U.S. allies, reached a landmark agreement for the phased integration of Kurdish fighters and civilian institutions into national structures. Damascus has pointed to this deal as a key factor, stating that the Syrian state is now fully capable of managing internal counterterrorism efforts. The drawdown was also preceded by the transfer of approximately 5,700 suspected Islamic State militants from SDF-run detention centers to facilities in Iraq for trial.
The conclusion of the U.S. military presence carries significant implications for Syria and the wider region. It solidifies the Syrian government's sovereignty over the country's northeast, an area rich in oil and wheat that had been under the control of the semi-autonomous Kurdish administration. The departure of American forces, which had also served as a check on Iranian influence, raises concerns about a potential power vacuum. Analysts are watching closely for any signs of an IS resurgence and to see how the shifting dynamics will affect the influence of other foreign powers, such as Russia and Iran, in Syria's complex geopolitical landscape.
Source: usnews