Syrian Army Assumes Control of Strategic Al-Tanf Base Following US Withdrawal
DAMASCUS – Syrian government forces have officially assumed control of the strategic al-Tanf garrison in southeastern Syria, marking the end of a nearly decade-long American military presence at the crucial tri-border junction.
According to Syrian government sources speaking to Anadolu Agency on Wednesday, the Syrian Arab Army has secured the base and its immediate perimeter following the complete withdrawal of United States forces. The handover represents a significant shift in the security architecture of the region, as Syrian troops move to fill the vacuum left by the departing coalition personnel.
Strategic Realignment at the Border
The al-Tanf base, located along the vital M2 Baghdad-Damascus Highway, sits at the intersection of the Syrian, Iraqi, and Jordanian borders. For years, it served as a key outpost for the US-led coalition’s operations against the Islamic State (ISIS) and acted as a strategic wedge monitoring the movement of various armed groups in the Syrian Desert.
Sources confirmed that US troops stationed at the garrison have redeployed to the “Tower 22” facility in Jordan, located approximately 22 kilometers (13 miles) southwest of al-Tanf. While the al-Tanf garrison previously hosted an estimated 200 US service members, the coalition has not publicly detailed the current troop levels at the Jordanian reception site.
Security Forces Mobilize
Following the coalition’s departure, a substantial deployment of Syrian state forces has been observed in the area. Security units from the Interior Ministry and the army are reportedly establishing new observation points and securing the highway to ensure the safe transit of commercial and civilian traffic between Iraq and Syria.
In a statement referenced by regional media, the Syrian Defense Ministry noted that the transfer of control was conducted through coordination between Syrian and American channels. “Units of the Syrian Arab Army have taken control of the al-Tanf base, secured the base and its surroundings, and begun deploying along the Syrian-Iraqi-Jordanian border in the al-Tanf desert,” the statement read. Border guard forces are expected to assume full duties in the coming days, solidifying Damascus’s authority over the crossing for the first time in years.
Regional Implications
The withdrawal from al-Tanf comes amidst a broader reassessment of foreign military deployments in the region. The base was originally established in 2016 to train local anti-ISIS fighters but evolved into a critical observation post. Its location within a 55-kilometer “deconfliction zone” often made it a flashpoint for geopolitical tensions.
For the Syrian government, regaining al-Tanf is a major strategic victory, allowing for the reopening of a direct trade corridor with Iraq that bypasses other crossings further north. Analysts suggest that the return of state authority to this remote desert outpost could facilitate increased economic cooperation between Damascus and Baghdad.
Meanwhile, the US military maintains that it retains the capacity to counter terrorist threats in the region from its remaining positions. The redeployment to Jordan suggests a shift in posture rather than a complete disengagement from regional security commitments, with forces at Tower 22 expected to continue monitoring the border zone.
As the Syrian flag is raised over the garrison, the focus now turns to the operational readiness of the newly deployed Syrian units. Their ability to secure the vast, porous desert border against remnants of extremist groups and smugglers will be the first major test of this new security arrangement.
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