Sun Feb 15 17:54:05 UTC 2026: ### U.S. Troops Withdraw, Syrian Army Takes Control of Key Base in Northeast Syria

The Story:
The Syrian army has assumed control of the al-Shaddadi military base in northeastern Syria, previously held by U.S. forces, following a coordinated withdrawal. This move is part of the implementation of a ceasefire agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The Syrian Ministry of Defence confirmed the takeover, stating it occurred in coordination with the American side. This follows the Syrian army’s recent control of the al-Tanf base near the Iraqi and Jordanian borders.

Key Points:

  • The Syrian army has taken over the al-Shaddadi military base in the Hasakah countryside.
  • The U.S. withdrawal is part of a ceasefire agreement with the Kurdish-led SDF.
  • The U.S. had been operating in al-Shaddadi since 2016, after Kurdish-led forces seized it from ISIS.
  • The Syrian army also took control of the U.S. base of al-Tanf.
  • U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the ceasefire implementation is “headed in a positive direction”.
  • The U.S. has been reducing its military presence in Syria, from 1,500 personnel in July to about 900 currently.
  • The U.S. continues to conduct air strikes on ISIS targets in Syria.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. is strategically reducing its military footprint in Syria, signaling a potential shift in regional strategy.
  • The Syrian government is regaining control over territory previously held by U.S. forces and Kurdish-led forces.
  • The U.S. is emphasizing the importance of implementing ceasefire agreements with various communities in Syria.
  • Despite the troop withdrawal, the U.S. remains committed to countering ISIS through air strikes and targeted operations.

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