US troops handover al-Tanf military base to Syria

US troops have withdrawn from the al-Tanf military base in Syria, handing control over to Syrian government forces as part of a deliberate drawdown. This move signals a significant shift in US policy, moving away from its partnership with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and towards the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The US is reportedly relying on Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to support the new Damascus government, and has also transferred Islamic State prisoners to Iraq. The strategically located base was previously used to counter the Islamic State group and later to disrupt Iranian supply lines.