Kurds concerned over US withdrawal from two bases in Syria

US forces pulled out of two additional bases in northeast Syria, accelerating troop reduction, Reuters reported on June 17th. A commander asserted the troop reduction is facilitating an Islamic State resurgence.

Journalists from Reuters travelled to the bases, which they state were largely deserted. Divisions of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is a Kurdish-operated armed group that receives support from the US, guarded both bases.

Mazloum Abdi, SDF leader, conveyed concerns about the reduction in the military forces. He remarked that several hundred soldiers stationed at one base cannot effectively deter the Islamic State.

He declared: “The threat of Islamic State has significantly increased recently. But this is the U.S. military’s plan. We’ve known about it for a long time … and we’re working with them to make sure there are no gaps and we can maintain pressure on Islamic State.”

Abdi talked to Reuters on June 13th, hours after Israel began its air attack on Iran. He refused to discuss how the new Israel-Iran war might impact Syria. Abdi expressed hope that the conflict would not extend to Syria and stated that he felt secure at the US base.

However, only hours later Iranian-produced missiles struck the Al Shadadi base, US defence systems intercepted the missiles, according to two SDF security sources.

This development comes amid recent political negotiations aiming to shape the region’s future.

Earlier this year, on March 19th, Kurdish and Syrian authorities gathered in Hasakeh with the leader of the SDF. As Maghrebi.org cited via Asharq Al-Awsat, this signalled a pivotal moment in reconciling the separatist militias with the Syrian government.

According to the reports, the deal must be carried out by the end of 2025. It will put northeast Syria’s borders and rich oil fields under government control.

Reuters, Maghrebi.org, Asharq Al-Awsat