Summary
The United States has started moving troops and equipment out of a major military base in northeastern Syria to northern Iraq. This marks the beginning of a planned withdrawal from Syria over the next few weeks.
Key Facts
- The U.S. is withdrawing from the Qasrak base, the largest American base in Syria.
- Troops and equipment are being sent to the semiautonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq.
- Local sources say the transfer includes sensitive high-tech tools that could take weeks to move.
- President Donald Trump's administration has considered a full withdrawal since January.
- The Syrian army gained control of another U.S. base, al-Shaddadi, on February 15.
- The U.S. military presence in Syria has reduced over the months from 1,500 to about 900 personnel.
- Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces worked with the U.S. but lost influence after reaching a deal with the Syrian government.
