Kirkuk: US Forces began a large-scale withdrawal from the Qasrak base in northwestern Hasakah province on Monday. Qasrak is the largest US military base in Syria. Local sources reported that dozens of military vehicles loaded with equipment and soldiers were seen leaving the base, heading towards Iraqi Kurdistan. The evacuation is expected to continue for several weeks.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the sources indicated that US and coalition forces remain at only one base: Kharab al-Jir, near the town of Rmeilan in northeastern Hasakah province. This withdrawal is part of a broader US plan to withdraw its military forces from Syria, which has already included the evacuation of bases in al-Shaddadi, al-Tanf, and Deir ez-Zor. US officials have previously confirmed that Washington plans to withdraw all of its approximately 1,000 troops from Syrian territory.

In a statement last Wednesday, a US official explained that the withdrawal of some troops was part of a deliberate and conditional transition, while emphasizing that US forces remained ready to counter any potential threats from ISIS in the region, in support of efforts led by local partners to prevent the group’s resurgence.