US troops depart Syria, ending decade of presence in fight against ISIS

WASHINGTON — US troops have handed over their remaining bases in Syria to government forces, Syria’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday, a move confirmed by US officials.

The transfer effectively ends a decade-long American ground presence in Syria, where US troops armed, trained and advised local factions in the fight against the Islamic State group.

ISIS surrendered its final territorial holdout near the Iraqi border in March 2019.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it welcomed “the completed handover of military sites where United States forces were previously present to the Syrian government.”

“The Syrian state is today fully capable of leading counterterrorism efforts from within, in cooperation with the international community,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, a US official confirmed the news, telling Al-Monitor, “US forces have completed turning over all of our major bases in Syria, as part of a deliberate and conditions-based transition.”

Though the US has left its bases in Syria, American troops continue to work directly with the Ministry of Interior in Damascus in keeping tabs on ISIS’ remnants, officials have said.

“US forces continue to support partner-led counterterrorism efforts, which are essential to ensuring the enduring defeat of ISIS and strengthening regional security,” the official said.

Despite the withdrawal, the Trump administration is seeking $130 million to fund counter-ISIS local forces in Syria for next fiscal year — the same amount Congress allocated for this year.