U.S. withdraws from Syria after a decade, handing over last bases to Assad's government

The United States military has completed its withdrawal from Syria after a presence spanning a decade to fourteen years, handing over control of its last bases to the Syrian government. According to US Central Command and Al-Monitor, the final transfer included major bases in Hasakah province, signaling the end of direct US military operations on Syrian soil. This withdrawal took place during heightened regional tensions and shifting power dynamics.

The US initially entered Syria in 2015 to fight the Islamic State, later expanding its focus to counter Iranian and Russian influence. Zero Hedge reports the US presence also included supporting Kurdish forces and attempted control over Syrian oil and gas resources, which the Assad government now reasserts full authority over. Despite the troop withdrawal, US officials confirm ongoing counterterrorism collaboration with local partners remains active.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry welcomed the handover as a restoration of sovereign control, as reported by the Middle East Monitor and The National (UAE), which notes the Syrian army’s consolidation of security across the area formerly held by US forces. The transition follows political developments in Syria, including the controversial December 2024 presidential election in which Ahmed al-Sharaa defeated Bashar al-Assad, according to Middle East Eye.

The withdrawal involved troop movements through Jordan, concluding with the last convoy's exit, according to Middle East Eye and Reason Magazine. US officials framed the redeployment as the conclusion of a decade-long military engagement complicated by fluctuating policies and ongoing instability throughout the region.

Observers will be watching closely how Damascus manages security and counterterrorism operations following the US exit and whether the withdrawal alters the broader geopolitical balance involving Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Kurdish groups. The evolution of US counterterrorism support and regional diplomatic relations remains a key issue in the months ahead.