U.S. Completes Withdrawal from Al-Tanf Camp in Syria

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Thursday that it has successfully withdrawn its forces from the al-Tanf camp in Syria. This action, which was completed on February 11, is part of a broader strategy adjustment in the region under Operation Inherent Resolve—a coalition mission initiated in 2014 aimed at fighting ISIS.

While U.S. troops have reduced their presence, they remain involved in supporting local forces to prevent the resurgence of terrorist groups that lost ground back in 2019. The Syrian Arab News Agency reported that the Syrian Ministry of Defense indicated that government forces had taken control of the al-Tanf base after the U.S. withdrawal, deploying along the borders with Iraq and Jordan.

The ministry confirmed that the handover was coordinated with U.S. officials, and the Syrian Arab Army troops are now tasked with securing the base and the surrounding areas in the desert region where three borders meet.

This move follows the Pentagon’s April 2025 decision to downsize and consolidate U.S. forces in Syria. Caroline Rose, who directs the Crime and Conflict Affairs Division at the New Lines Institute, commented on the strategic importance of al-Tanf. She stated that it provided crucial access and intelligence capabilities regarding the borders with Jordan and Iraq.

Rose went on to say, “This situation was not only vital in the fight against ISIS, where cross-border threats existed, but it also played a role in deterring Iranian-backed militia activities in the region.” She suggested that the U.S. withdrawal might indicate a certain level of confidence in the current progress against ISIS and Iranian-aligned forces.

However, she noted that this could also be perceived as a setback for Jordan, which has relied on the U.S. presence in al-Tanf for regional security.

Despite the withdrawal, CENTCOM emphasized that U.S. forces remain prepared to confront ISIS threats, reporting that they have conducted operations targeting over 100 sites in the region while capturing or eliminating more than 40 ISIS fighters in the last two months.

Interestingly, this change in focus from the U.S. comes shortly after 150 ISIS fighters were transferred from a detention facility in Hasakah, Syria, to a secure location in Iraq. There are indications that further transfers may occur as part of ongoing efforts to maintain stability in the region.

In a notable development, Syria joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in November, marking its 90th member. Tom Barrack, U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria, mentioned that Damascus is prepared to assume security responsibilities, including the management of ISIS detention facilities, under interim leadership following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in 2024.