The Syrian and Iraqi arenas are witnessing rapid security and political changes, coinciding with an American military repositioning in the region, represented by withdrawals from strategic sites that had been under American control for years. These movements raise questions about the priorities of the American administration in the post-direct presence phase, and the goals it seeks to achieve on both the political and security levels in Syria and Iraq.
A high-ranking security source revealed that American forces have begun gradual withdrawal operations from the Al-Shaddadi base south of Hasakah Governorate in Syria, heading towards Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The withdrawal included the transfer of equipment via ground convoys and the evacuation of some personnel by air, without full clarification of the reasons or their connection to larger redeployment plans in the region.
This move came after statements by US administration officials regarding a complete withdrawal from Syria by mid-this year, amid the declining role of the Syrian Democratic Forces as a main force against ISIS, and the advance of the Syrian army in the northeast of the country. The US envoy for Syrian affairs coordination, Tom Brack, confirmed that Syrian government forces are qualified to take over security tasks after Damascus joined the international coalition to combat ISIS last November, which reshaped the military and political landscape in the region.
In Iraq, the Higher Military Committee confirmed the completion of the withdrawal of the US-led international coalition forces from Ain al-Asad base in Anbar, as part of an agreement signed with Baghdad in 2024. The agreement stipulates the termination of the military coalition's mission by the end of 2025, and the evacuation of forces from the region by this September.
The withdrawal included the gradual transfer of equipment and soldiers to bases such as Erbil and Harir, with a focus on continued security and intelligence coordination with local forces to ensure border monitoring and the pursuit of ISIS cells. Experts indicate that the American goal is not limited to direct withdrawal, but also includes preventing the return of ISIS, ending Iranian influence, supporting the political process to achieve relative stability, protecting Israel's security and continuing attempts to bring Damascus into security agreements with Tel Aviv, protecting economic interests, and containing Russian influence in the region.
Syrian government forces are qualified to take over security tasks after Damascus joined the international coalition to combat ISIS last November.
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Extensive Transformations in Syria and Iraq.. Washington's Priorities in Military Repositioning