DAMASCUS – Syrian government forces officially took control of the strategic al-Tanf military base on February 12, 2026, following a coordinated handover from U.S. troops. The transition marks the end of a decade-long American military presence at the sensitive tri-border junction where Syria meets Jordan and Iraq.
According to a statement from the Syrian Defense Ministry, the transfer of the garrison was conducted in direct coordination with the U.S. military. Syrian army units, representing the post-Assad administration led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, are currently securing the facility and its perimeters, with border guards expected to deploy in the coming days.
A Shifting Mission and Strategic Withdrawal
The full withdrawal from al-Tanf followed a 15-day logistical operation during which U.S. personnel removed equipment and prepared to vacate the 55-kilometer “deconfliction zone” they had enforced since 2014. While the U.S. military has not issued an official confirmation, military sources indicate that the departing troops have relocated across the border to Tower 22 and other facilities in Jordan.
The decision to hand over the base reflects a major pivot in American policy following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024. Key factors in this transition include:
- Government Integration: Syria’s interim government officially joined the anti-ISIS coalition in late 2025.
- Military Consolidation: A recent deal saw U.S.-backed Kurdish-led forces (SDF) agree to merge into the national Syrian military, reducing the need for independent American outposts.
- Security Transition: U.S. officials have shifted from supporting local desert militias toward strengthening the central government’s ability to prevent a terrorist resurgence.
Legacy of the Al-Tanf Garrison
Established in 2014 at the height of the war against the Islamic State (ISIS), al-Tanf served as a critical hub for training partner forces and monitoring Iran-backed supply routes. For years, it was a primary Western foothold in the Syrian desert, acting as a buffer against regional proxy influence.
Despite the physical pullout, American forces will reportedly continue to coordinate regional security and maintain pressure on ISIS remnants from bases in Jordan.
The withdrawal is part of a broader U.S. military drawdown in the region, which has also seen the recent evacuation of other major installations, including the Al-Shaddadi base in Hasakah province. Following this handover, the majority of remaining U.S. troops in Syria are concentrated in pockets of the country’s far northeast.
