US forces maintain presence at Al-Wazir Base amid strategic withdrawals in Syria

HASAKAH, North and East Syria — The Tel Baydar military base in northern Hasakah province has been devoid of U.S.-led International Coalition forces for two years, according to sources speaking to UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Once hosting a team of 15 to 20 coalition personnel, Tel Baydar has been completely vacated since 2023. The personnel formerly stationed there were relocated to another US military installation within the region.

By contrast, Al-Wazir Base continues to host American forces, and sources confirmed there have been no significant shifts in operations or manpower there.

This development comes on the heels of a broader drawdown by the United States in eastern Syria. Earlier this month, US forces executed a sudden withdrawal from two key military bases in eastern Dayro Zcuro (Deir Ezzor), an area under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The phased withdrawal began on 18 May and accelerated in early June, as convoys of US military vehicles, including armored personnel carriers and logistical equipment, were seen leaving the Omar oil field and the Conoco gas plant. The movement occurred under heavy surveillance by coalition aircraft.

Following the American withdrawal, SDF special forces quickly took over the vacated positions.

While the reasoning behind the strategic realignment remains unclear, the continued US presence at Al-Wazir Base signals that, despite partial withdrawals, Washington has not entirely disengaged from North and East Syria — for now, at least.