The U.S. military has begun withdrawing from the Kasrak base in Syria.

On the early morning of February 23, 2026, on the outskirts of Qamishli city in Hasakah Governorate, northeastern Syria, a convoy consisting of dozens of military trucks headed toward the Iraqi border. The trucks were loaded with armored vehicles and equipment, with military helicopters hovering overhead. According to the Associated Press, this convoy originated from the Kasrak base—the largest military facility of the United States and its international coalition in northeastern Syria.

Security officials from Iraq and Syria confirmed to Reuters that the U.S. military has begun withdrawing personnel and equipment from the base, relocating them to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. A Syrian security official revealed that as of the 23rd, approximately 200 soldiers remained at the base, dismantling facilities such as electronic jamming systems and air defense systems.

This is the second withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria in recent times. Earlier this month, the U.S. military completely withdrew from the Al-Tanf base in southeastern Syria. In January, they also withdrew from the Al-Shaddadi base in southern Hasakah Governorate.

How is the evacuation conducted?

The Kasrak base is located in the Hasakah Governorate of Syria, approximately 50 kilometers from the Turkish border and about 80 kilometers from the Iraqi border. Constructed around 2015, it has since served as a key hub for the international coalition's operations against ISIS in Syria. The base hosts hundreds of U.S. and coalition troops on a permanent basis and is equipped with a command center, intelligence facilities, and helicopter landing pads.

According to Syrian military sources who disclosed to Reuters, the entire evacuation process may last from several weeks to a month. It remains unclear whether this withdrawal is a temporary adjustment or a permanent exit.

The evacuation operation is directly related to a significant personnel transfer. The U.S. military recently completed the transfer of approximately 5,700 alleged ISIS militants from detention centers in northeastern Syria to prisons in Iraq, where they will face trial. This transfer decision was made following clashes between Syrian government forces and Kurdish fighters in January, which led to a prison break at a detention center holding ISIS suspects, resulting in dozens of escapes.

A senior U.S. official, who requested anonymity, told Reuters that the partial withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria is part of a planned, condition-based transition. The official stated that, given the Syrian government's willingness to take primary responsibility for combating terrorist threats within its territory, a large-scale U.S. military presence is no longer necessary. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the U.S. plans to withdraw all of its approximately 1,000 troops stationed in Syria.

Why evacuate at this moment?

The withdrawal of the United States from the Kasrak base is part of its adjustment in Syria policy.

The most direct reason is the change in the counter-terrorism situation. In 2025, the Syrian government unexpectedly joined the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS. In January of this year, government forces led by President Ahmed Shala seized control of large areas in the northeast from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. This created conditions for the U.S. to transfer security responsibilities.

The deeper reason lies in the shift in U.S. strategic priorities. After ISIS lost its last territory in 2019, its threat transformed into scattered, latent attacks. Maintaining thousands of troops to counter such a threat has increasingly been questioned domestically in the U.S. in terms of cost-effectiveness. Voices from both parties in Congress have called for an end to endless wars.

Meanwhile, the attention of the U.S. military is being drawn to other hotspot regions, including the situation in Ukraine, the Red Sea shipping crisis, and confrontations with Iran. Redeploying some resources from Syria to these areas aligns with current military priorities.

Additionally, the complexity of relations with local ally the Syrian Democratic Forces is also a factor. This armed group, with the Kurdish People's Protection Units at its core, is viewed by Turkey as a security threat. The United States has long struggled to balance between supporting its counter-terrorism allies and appeasing its NATO ally Turkey. As the Syrian government forces regain control over certain areas, the space for the U.S. to reduce direct military involvement and instead exert influence through other means has increased.

Who will fill the void?

The withdrawal of U.S. troops will create a power vacuum in northeastern Syria, and all relevant parties have already begun to act.

The most direct beneficiary is likely the Syrian government. Recovering territory has always been its core objective. The security vacuum left by the withdrawal of U.S. troops presents an opportunity for government forces and their allies, including Russian military forces and Iran-backed militias. However, the Syrian Democratic Forces still control some territories, including oil-producing regions. Their relationship with government forces involves both cooperation and competition, making future friction inevitable.

The security risk lies in the potential resurgence of ISIS. Although the organization has been significantly weakened, its dormant networks still exist. On February 21, ISIS claimed responsibility for two attacks in Syria, resulting in the deaths of one soldier and one civilian. The presence of U.S. and coalition forces, along with their support for the Syrian Democratic Forces, is crucial in suppressing the revival of ISIS. When U.S. troops withdraw and the Syrian Democratic Forces may become distracted by tensions with government forces, ISIS's room for activity could expand.

Turkey is another key variable. Ankara has consistently viewed Syrian Kurdish armed groups as a threat to national security. The presence of U.S. forces has, to some extent, restrained Turkey's impulse to launch large-scale cross-border military operations. Once the U.S. military presence diminishes, Turkey may conduct deeper military interventions in northeastern Syria under the pretext of establishing a security zone, which could potentially trigger conflicts with the Syrian Democratic Forces and even the Syrian government forces.

For Iraq, the redeployment of U.S. forces signifies a shift in pressure. Some American troops and equipment are being relocated to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This could exacerbate the already delicate relationship between the Iraqi central government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, while also exposing Iraq more directly to potential security threats that may spill over from Syria. Iraq itself is still dealing with attacks from remnants of the Islamic State, and the reception of thousands of Islamic State prisoners has already strained its judicial and security systems.

Uncertain prospects

The situation in northeastern Syria is about to enter a period of high uncertainty.

The withdrawal of U.S. forces is phased and not a complete pullout. According to Reuters, even after fully withdrawing from the Al-Kasrak base, the U.S.-led coalition still maintains the Al-Rmelan base near the Iraqi border in Syria. The U.S. may shift to a light-footprint model, retaining rapid response and intelligence surveillance capabilities rather than large-scale ground deployments.

The United States is attempting to shift from a frontline participant to a behind-the-scenes supporter. Its strategic focus may transition from direct counterterrorism efforts to broader geopolitical balancing, particularly in containing the expansion of Iran's influence in Syria. However, the success of this role change depends on several factors: whether the Syrian government can effectively govern and control its allied Iranian militias; whether the Syrian Democratic Forces can maintain combat effectiveness without direct U.S. military support; and whether Russia is willing and able to restrain the actions of its allies.

From a broader regional perspective, the contraction of the U.S. military is part of the ongoing evolution of the power structure in the Middle East. Russia and Iran have consolidated their foothold in the region by supporting the Syrian government. Turkey, meanwhile, is pursuing its own security agenda. The relative retreat of the United States may accelerate adjustments among regional states to fill the vacuum and could also lead to more proxy conflicts.

For the millions of civilians who have lived in northeastern Syria for over a decade, the future is filled with anxiety. They fear the return of ISIS, worry about being drawn into potential conflicts between the Syrian government forces, the Turkish military, and Kurdish armed groups, and also fear that the hard-won relative stability may come to an end.

The U.S. military convoy continued eastward. Behind the dusty road, what remained was not just an abandoned military base, but a complex issue concerning commitments, strategic interests, and regional stability. The story of Syria is far from over—it has merely entered a new, and possibly more turbulent, chapter.