US pulls out of strategic military base and hands it over to Syria

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by ReutersFebruary 13, 2026 at 05:28 AM

AI Summary

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The US military withdrew from the al-Tanf garrison in Syria on Thursday, handing it over to Syrian forces. Established in 2014 during the Syrian civil war, the base initially served as a hub for the US-led coalition against ISIS. Located at the intersection of the Syrian, Jordanian, and Iraqi borders, al-Tanf later became a strategic point in countering Iranian influence. The withdrawal follows a shift in US-Syrian relations after Bashar al-Assad's overthrow in December 2024. Syria joined the coalition against ISIS remnants last November, after President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the White House.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Ahmed al-Sharaa 40% Tehran 50% Damascus 50% Donald Trump ×260% Jordan 60% Bashar al-Assad 60% Iraq ×260% Iran 70% Islamic State ×270% al-Tanf garrison 80% United States ×490% Syria ×690%

Keywords

us military withdrawal 90% syria 80% al-tanf garrison 70% strategic base 70% islamic state 60% us syrian ties 60% military outpost 50% iranian influence 50% bashar al-assad 40%