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U.S. Completes Syria Withdrawal, Hands Over Qasrak Base

4/16/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The United States has completed its military withdrawal from Syria and handed over the Qasrak air base in Hasakah to the Syrian government.
This ends a presence that began in 2014, and the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the handover.
U.S. Central Command linked the move to a 2025 Department of Defense announcement after ISIS's 2019 territorial defeat.
Analysts say the evacuation reduces exposure to threats from Iranian-backed groups.

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Story summary

The United States has completed its military withdrawal from Syria and handed over the Qasrak air base in Hasakah to the Syrian government.
This ends a presence that began in 2014, and the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the handover.
U.S. Central Command linked the move to a 2025 Department of Defense announcement after ISIS's 2019 territorial defeat.
Analysts say the evacuation reduces exposure to threats from Iranian-backed groups.