The United States has brought to an end its direct military presence at several key sites in Syria after completing the transfer of bases it had operated for years. The move reflects a broader repositioning of its role in the region.

US Central Command confirmed that this development does not represent a full withdrawal from the Syrian security landscape. Officials emphasized that efforts to combat extremist groups will continue through coordination with local partners to ensure stability and prevent the resurgence of threats.

On the other side, the Syrian government announced that it has taken full control of the former US military sites, describing the step as a reinforcement of state sovereignty and a shift toward greater control over internal security operations.

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the transfer process was carried out through organized coordination, describing it as a natural outcome of a new phase in which state institutions assume full responsibility, particularly in counterterrorism and addressing regional security challenges.

This development follows months of reports suggesting a gradual US drawdown in Syria, a policy direction that has been discussed for years, especially during former President Donald Trump’s administration, which repeatedly called for ending direct military involvement.

For years, US forces operated alongside local allies in military campaigns against ISIS, which was declared territorially defeated in 2019, although concerns remain about the presence of sleeper cells in certain areas.

Estimates indicate that US troop numbers in Syria had ranged between several hundred and a few thousand before the gradual withdrawal process that ultimately led to the transfer of major bases.