US restructures military presence in Syria, cuts bases from 8 to 3

HASAKAHS/DAMASCUS

The US is restructuring its military presence in northeastern Syria by reducing troop levels and shuttering multiple bases, scaling down from eight to three installations, with plans to consolidate operations at a single base in the future.

The US, operating in areas controlled by the terrorist group YPG/PKK under the framework of Operation Inherent Resolve, has so far closed five bases in the Deir ez-Zor and Hasakah provinces. These include facilities at the Koniko Gas Field, Cafra, Istirahat al-Wazir, Himo and Tal Baydar. US troops have been withdrawn through the al-Waleed border crossing into Iraq.

The remaining operational bases are located at Omar oil field, Shaddadi and Kasrek.

Troops, equipment relocated to Shaddadi, Kasrek

Withdrawn US units have been consolidated at Shaddadi and Kasrek. Some are being redeployed to Iraq. French troops assisting PKK/YPG terrorists with training remain stationed at Shaddadi.

At the Kasrek base in Hasakah province, US, British and French forces are currently stationed. A large field hospital is under construction at the site.

7 of 14 deployment sites evacuated

In addition to the main base closures, US forces have vacated seven of 14 smaller deployment points. These include a humanitarian aid office in Shaddadi, medical units in Robarya and Tal Baydar, supply sites at Avde oil field and Sabah al-Khayr near the M4 highway, and training camps at Tal Tamir and Life Stone.

US patrols continue between the Omar oil field — housing surveillance teams, pilots and senior officers — and the now-decommissioned Koniko base.

Mission against ISIS (Daesh) terror group near completion

Since 2014, US forces have operated in Syria as part of the anti-Daesh campaign.

Last week, US Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack said Washington had completed 99% of its mission against ISIS (Daesh). He confirmed that the number of US bases has been reduced from eight to three, with plans to maintain just one in the future.