US Completes Withdrawal from Key Qasrak Air Base in Syria
U.S. forces have officially completed their withdrawal from the strategic Qasrak Air Base in Syria's Hasakah province, marking a significant step in a broader military drawdown in the region. The final convoy of soldiers and equipment departed the site on Thursday evening, April 16, 2026, heading toward the Jordanian border near Daraa. This move transfers full control of the base to the Syrian army. The primary mission of U.S. troops in Syria has been to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State (ISIS) group. Although ISIS lost its last territorial stronghold in Syria in 2019, sleeper cells continue to launch periodic attacks across Syria, Iraq, and internationally. The withdrawal underscores a shifting geopolitical landscape as the United States reduces its direct military footprint while aiming to maintain regional stability through alternative means. The operation was documented by AP journalists on the ground, highlighting the logistical movement of military vehicles and personnel as they exited the northeastern province.
Wire timeline
US Completes Withdrawal from Key Qasrak Air Base in Syria
U.S. forces have officially completed their withdrawal from the strategic Qasrak Air Base in Syria's Hasakah province, marking a significant step in a broader military drawdown in the region. The final convoy of soldiers and equipment departed the site on Thursday evening, April 16, 2026, heading toward the Jordanian border near Daraa. This move transfers full control of the base to the Syrian army. The primary mission of U.S. troops in Syria has been to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State (ISIS) group. Although ISIS lost its last territorial stronghold in Syria in 2019, sleeper cells continue to launch periodic attacks across Syria, Iraq, and internationally. The withdrawal underscores a shifting geopolitical landscape as the United States reduces its direct military footprint while aiming to maintain regional stability through alternative means. The operation was documented by AP journalists on the ground, highlighting the logistical movement of military vehicles and personnel as they exited the northeastern province.
AP News