US Begins Troop Drawdown in Syria, Plans to Retain One Military Base: Envoy
The United States has begun scaling back its military presence in Syria and plans to retain only one base, according to Tom Barrack, the US envoy to Syria.
In an interview with Turkey's NTV on Monday night, Barrack stated, 'The United States has gone from eight bases to five, then three — and we will likely keep only one.'
Field sources confirmed that the US-led coalition has completed a near-total withdrawal from its military installations in Syria's Deir Ezzor province, in line with a Pentagon decision to reduce troop numbers from approximately 2,000 to under 1,000.
American military convoys reportedly departed key bases in recent hours, including the Conoco Gas Facility and the Al-Omar oil field in northern and eastern Deir Ezzor.
A smaller post near the border town of Al-Baghouz was also evacuated.
The withdrawal, which had been delayed for nearly two weeks, is believed to reflect Washington's hesitation amid rising ISIL Takfiri group activity in areas held by both the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian government.
The drawdown officially began on May 18 but accelerated over the past 48 hours, with convoys of armored vehicles and logistical equipment leaving the region under heavy US aerial cover.
According to U-News Agency, the coalition has fully vacated the Conoco Gas Facility—also known as the 'Euphrates Base'—while a limited contingent remains at the Al-Omar site, dubbed the 'Green Village.' That base is also expected to be vacated in the coming days.
To fill the security vacuum, the SDF has reportedly deployed special commando units, anticipating increased ISIS attacks following the US withdrawal.
Meanwhile, US forces have repositioned to Al-Shaddadi in southern Hasakah province, roughly 100 kilometers from the Conoco base, to continue providing intelligence and logistical support to the SDF.
Sources suggest the current withdrawal may last up to three months, with potential further reductions that could bring US troop levels in Syria down to around 500 by year's end.
In parallel with the troop drawdown, committees representing the Syrian transitional authorities and the SDF have begun implementing the terms of the March 10 agreement—reached during the fourth round of negotiations after a month-long suspension.
According to local sources, preparations are underway in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood to begin prisoner, wounded, and remains exchanges. Joint security units have also been deployed in both Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh in preparation for their administrative integration into the Syrian government's Aleppo City Council.
The exchange deal involves more than 400 individuals—marking the largest such operation since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict. Recently, 178 SDF members, including eight female fighters from the Women's Protection Units, were released in return for 250 detainees from Turkish-backed security and military units.
Upcoming phases are expected to include the release of Syrian civilians held in al-Hol camp, particularly those from government-controlled areas, as well as the exchange of combatant remains following recent clashes near the Tishreen Dam.
Observers believe American pressure has been instrumental in pushing both sides to move forward with the agreement, despite lingering disputes over decentralization and the future integration of the SDF into Syria's national military structure.
Sources indicate that Washington is likely to continue pressuring both Damascus and the SDF to advance the political settlement process while keeping the final governance model for northeast Syria a matter of ongoing negotiation amid divergent positions.
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