Syrian Forces Take Control of al-Tanf Base

Syrian government forces have taken control of the al-Tanf base in eastern Syria, previously operated by U.S. troops for years as part of the war against the Islamic State. The handover occurred in coordination with the U.S. military, which completed an orderly departure. This move is part of a U.S. consolidation of military locations in Syria following the territorial defeat of the Islamic State. Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa is expanding his control, with government forces capturing parts of northeast Syria and reaching a deal with the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces to merge into the military. The al-Tanf garrison had been attacked by Iran-backed groups, but these attacks have decreased since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in December 2024. The U.S. continues to monitor and respond to Islamic State threats, having recently transferred thousands of Islamic State prisoners to Iraq.