Syria takes control of all bases where US forces were deployed

Final convoy of US soldiers and equipment departs Qasrak air base in the northeastern governorate of Hasakah.Syria has taken full control of all military sites where US forces had previously been deployed, completing a handover that Damascus says reflects the successful absorption of Kurdish-led fighters into national structures.The announcement on Thursday comes after the final convoy of US soldiers and equipment departed Qasrak air base, located in the northeastern governorate of Hasakah, ending a military presence that began in 2014 when US forces entered the fight against ISIL (ISIS) alongside Kurdish fighters who went on to lead what became known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3US begins withdrawing from its largest military base in Syrialist 2 of 3Who is Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s US envoy leading talks with Lebanon?list 3 of 3French cement giant Lafarge guilty of financing ISIL in Syriaend of listSyrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa received the two most senior figures in the SDF, its military commander, Mazloum Abdi, and the head of its political wing, Ilham Ahmad, in Damascus on Thursday.Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and the presidential envoy overseeing the integration process were also present.Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomed the completed handover of the bases, saying it reflected the government’s efforts to bring the country under a single state authority, including border areas and the northeast, which had long operated outside Damascus’s control.The ministry said the transfer had been carried out in full coordination with the US, pointing to what it described as a constructive relationship that has developed since al-Sharaa met US President Donald Trump at the White House in November.US Central Command, which is responsible for US troops in the Middle East, told the news agency AFP that US forces “have completed turning over all of our major bases in Syria as part of a deliberate and conditions-based transition”.