The Syrian military has officially taken control of Qasrak, the final military installation previously held by United States forces, marking the formal conclusion of the American military presence in the country.

A Syrian official confirmed to Middle East Eye (MEE) that the U.S. withdrawal is now complete. According to Charles Lister, a leading expert on Syrian affairs, the base was secured by the Syrian Army’s 60th Division. This unit is notably comprised of Kurdish fighters integrated from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a long-standing partner of the U.S. during the campaign against the Islamic State.

Strategic Transition and Regional Security

Reports indicate that U.S. personnel and hardware departed Syria via Jordan. This tactical route was reportedly chosen to mitigate the risk of interception or engagement by Iranian-backed paramilitary groups operating within Iraq.

In an official statement released late Thursday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry welcomed the handover of the military sites. The ministry emphasized two key points regarding the transition:

National Integration: The handover signifies the successful absorption of SDF elements into the national military command.

Sovereign Responsibility: The Syrian state has formally assumed "full responsibility" for counter-terrorism operations and the management of regional security threats.

Political Context of the Withdrawal

The departure of U.S. forces follows a seismic shift in the Syrian political landscape. In December 2024, President Ahmed al-Sharaa defeated Bashar al-Assad, effectively ending over a decade of civil war. The United States has since extended its diplomatic backing to Sharaa’s nascent administration.

Prior to the full withdrawal, the U.S. maintained a contingent of approximately 1,000 troops in the region. Earlier this year, Washington acted as a mediator to facilitate a security pact between Damascus and the SDF. Under this agreement, the Syrian government committed to leading the offensive against militant remnants, including IS.

The turnover of Qasrak follows the closure of other major U.S. hubs earlier this year, including the al-Tanf garrison in the south and the al-Shaddadi base in the northeast.