Syria declared full control of former US bases after the last convoy left Qasrak air base, marking a shift in authority and a new phase of SDF integration
On April 16, Damascus announced that it had taken full control of all military installations once occupied by US forces, a development capped by the departure of the final convoy from Qasrak air base in the northeastern governorate of Hasakah.
The move ends a presence that began in 2014 when American troops entered the conflict to fight ISIL alongside local Kurdish units. Syrian officials framed the transfer as the logical outcome of a broader process to restore central authority across previously autonomous areas.
The handover has both military and political dimensions. The Syrian leadership received senior figures from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)—including military commander Mazloum Abdi and political chief Ilham Ahmad—and said the transfer reflected the absorption of those forces into national security structures.
State statements also highlighted coordination with Washington and signalled an intention to broaden diplomatic and economic ties with the United States.
What changed on the ground
The handover returned control of airfields, bases and border checkpoints to Damascus and involved the deployment of Syrian Arab Army units and security services into key urban centres such as Hasakah and Qamishli. Under the January agreement between Damascus and the SDF, Kurdish fighters are being integrated into national formations and civilian institutions and border management have shifted to Syrian authorities. The process is intended to normalize administration across the northeast and to allow the central government to reassert responsibility for counterterrorism and regional threats.
Key elements of the transition
Officials emphasised that the transfer was a coordinated operation. US Central Command described the completion as the turning over of “major bases” as part of a deliberate, conditions-based transition, while Syrian ministries framed the move as evidence of state reunification. Observers note that the practical handover included complex logistics: the last US equipment and personnel left overland via Jordan, a route chosen to reduce exposure to attacks by armed groups aligned with regional actors.
Political implications and regional context
Damascus framed the completion of the handover as a milestone in reasserting sovereignty across territories that had long operated with limited central oversight. The Syrian Foreign Ministry said the change reflects successful integration of the SDF into national structures and a Syrian assumption of primary responsibility for combating extremist groups on its soil. The meeting between President Ahmed al-Sharaa and the US president at the White House was cited by Syrian officials as having improved working relations and helped enable coordinated steps around the withdrawal.
Reactions and risks
While the transfer reduces the footprint of foreign troops, it raises questions about stability, local governance and external influence. Integrating armed groups into a national army is a complex, long-term process that requires vetting, command-and-control arrangements and reconciliation mechanisms. Security analysts warn that the northeast will remain a focal point for competing interests, and that the speed and shape of the integration will be closely watched by regional actors and international partners.
How the withdrawal unfolded
The US presence in Syria began in 2014 amid the campaign against ISIL, with American forces providing tactical support to local partners that evolved into the SDF. Over time, shifting priorities and developments on the ground altered the rationale for a continued foreign force posture. The final movements included the departure of troops and materiel from bases such as Qasrak, logistical coordination with neighbouring countries for safe transit, and the formal handover of facilities to Syrian command. Analysts such as Charles Lister noted routing choices intended to minimize vulnerability to attacks by Iranian-aligned groups.
What comes next
Looking ahead, the transition places pressure on Damascus to deliver security, services and inclusive governance in the northeast while balancing relations with regional powers and former international partners. Syrian authorities have signalled a desire to expand diplomatic engagement and economic cooperation with the United States as part of the next phase. The practical success of the handover will be measured by whether local tensions are reduced, whether integrated forces remain cohesive, and whether civilian administration stabilises under central oversight.
