Syrian government forces have seized control of a military base situated in eastern Syria that was previously operated by U.S. troops in the fight against the Islamic State group, announced the defense ministry on Thursday. The transfer of the base, located near the borders with Jordan and Iraq, was carried out in collaboration with the U.S. military, with Syrian forces now responsible for securing the base and its surroundings.
The handover of the al-Tanf base marks a significant development following reports that the country’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, along with several Syrian ministers, narrowly escaped five assassination attempts last year, as detailed in a United Nations report released on Wednesday.
After a recent agreement between the Syrian government and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to merge forces, Syrian troops have been deployed in the desert area surrounding the al-Tanf garrison. The base, a crucial outpost in the battle against the Islamic State group, was frequently targeted by drone attacks by Iran-backed factions in previous years. However, such assaults have diminished since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024.
The ongoing presence of ISIS fighters in Syria remains a pressing concern, with the militant group estimated to have around 3,000 combatants dispersed across Iraq and Syria. The UN report highlighted that ISIS is actively exploiting security vulnerabilities in Syria, focusing its attacks on security personnel, particularly in the northern and northeastern regions.
In a separate development, President al-Sharaa has broadened his control over Syria, with government forces recently gaining control of extensive territories in northeast Syria after confrontations with the SDF. A ceasefire has since been established between the government and the SDF, signaling a potential shift in the country’s complex political landscape.