US forces have withdrawn from two more bases in northeastern Syria, further accelerating a troop drawdown that has raised concerns about the resurgence of Islamic State (ISIS) in the region. The moves bring to at least four the number of bases in Syria where US troops have left since President Donald Trump took office.
The recent withdrawals were confirmed by Reuters reporters who visited the two bases, Al-Wazir and Tel Baydar, in Hasaka province. Both bases are now mostly deserted, with small contingents of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) guards on site. The SDF has been backed by the US-led coalition since 2014.
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi expressed concern about the increased threat of ISIS, saying that a few hundred troops at one base would not be enough to contain the group’s activities. He attributed the rise in ISIS activity to the chaos following the ouster of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and the seizure of weapons from regime depots.
Abdi’s comments come as reports emerge of ISIS cells operating in several Syrian cities, including Damascus. The group has also been linked to attacks on SDF fighters and security forces east of the Euphrates River. At least 10 SDF fighters have been killed in these attacks, according to Abdi.
The US withdrawal from Syria is part of a broader drawdown of its military presence in the country, which Trump’s administration announced earlier this month. The move has raised concerns about the stability of the region and the potential impact on counter-terrorism efforts.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/us-pulls-out-two-more-bases-syria-worrying-kurdish-forces-2025-06-17