HASAKEH, Syria (MNTV) — United States forces have reportedly started withdrawing from the Al-Shaddadi military base in northeastern Syria, signaling a possible shift in Washington’s military posture following recent clashes between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Sources cited by regional media said elements of the US-led international coalition had begun pulling troops and equipment from the Al-Shaddadi base, located south of Hasakeh province, after the surrounding area was taken over by Syrian government forces from the SDF.
According to The New Arab, convoys of coalition vehicles entered the base earlier this week from northern Iraq through the Al-Yarubiyah crossing, a move described as a precursor to a phased withdrawal from one of the coalition’s most prominent sites in the region.
Part of the military equipment from Al-Shaddadi is reportedly being transferred to the Kharab al-Jir base near Rmeilan in northeastern Hasakeh, while other assets have been relocated to coalition facilities inside Iraq’s Kurdistan Region.
The sources added that preparations for leaving the base had been underway for some time but were delayed by recent developments on the ground.
Observers in the area have reported intensified flights by US warplanes and surveillance aircraft, believed to be providing cover during the redeployment and movement of equipment.
US forces have operated in Syria since 2014 as part of the campaign against the so-called Islamic State group.
However, debate has grown in Washington over the future of the deployment, particularly after the Syrian government joined the international coalition against IS late last year and regained control over large areas previously held by the SDF.
Last month, US media reported that Washington was seriously considering a full withdrawal of its troops from Syria following the Syrian army’s advance across much of the northeast.
The reported military movements come as part of a new ceasefire arrangement between the Syrian government and the SDF.
Under the agreement, government security forces have entered the cities of Hasakeh and Qamishli and are preparing to deploy to the Kurdish-majority city of Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab.