Syrian government troops have successfully seized control of a military base in eastern Syria that was previously operated by U.S. forces in the fight against the Islamic State group, the defense ministry announced on Thursday. The transfer of the al-Tanf base, strategically located near the Jordan and Iraq borders, was carried out in collaboration with the U.S. military, with Syrian forces now responsible for securing the base and its surroundings.
Meanwhile, a recent United Nations report revealed that Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and several Syrian ministers narrowly escaped five assassination attempts last year. The assassination plots, targeting key government figures, were attributed to a group believed to be linked to the Islamic State.
Following an agreement between the Syrian government and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Syrian troops have been deployed to the al-Tanf garrison and its vicinity. The base, a critical asset in the campaign against the Islamic State, had faced numerous drone attacks by Iran-backed factions in the past, but such assaults have significantly decreased since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024.
The recent handover of the al-Tanf base and the consolidation of Syrian forces in the area mark significant developments in the ongoing efforts to stabilize the region. Despite the territorial losses suffered by ISIS in recent years, the group still poses a significant threat, with an estimated 3,000 fighters active in Iraq and Syria. The UN report highlighted ISIS’s continued presence and its efforts to exploit security vulnerabilities in Syria.
President al-Sharaa’s administration has taken steps to address the persistent security challenges, including joining the international coalition against ISIS and asserting control over key regions in northeast Syria. Al-Sharaa, a former leader of a militant group with past ties to al-Qaeda, is now leading the country’s efforts to combat terrorism and maintain stability.