Int'l coalition establishing new base at Syria's Tishrin Dam: Monitor
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The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had previously reported that US forces began withdrawing equipment and supplies from the al-Omar and Conoco bases.
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A US military convoy drives along a road in northeastern Syria's Hasakeh province, Thursday, January 30, 2025. (AP)
The US-led international coalition in Syria is preparing to establish a large military base at the Tishrin Dam in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, northern Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.
The coalition entered Syria under the pretext of combating the rise of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group that seized large territories in Syria and Iraq in 2014.
Even after ISIS lost territory, coalition forces remained to allegedly prevent the group's resurgence. But local media have repeatedly reported that US troops have looted tonnes of oil from Syria's rich north and smuggled them into their bases in Iraq.
According to the war monitor, the equipment and gear that US forces transferred from the al-Omar and Conoco bases in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor to the al-Shaddadi base in southern al-Hasakah will subsequently be moved to the Tishrin Dam to set up the new base.
The Observatory had previously reported that US forces began withdrawing equipment and supplies from the al-Omar and Conoco bases—two of the largest coalition bases in eastern Deir Ezzor—sending them in stages toward their military base in the al-Shaddadi area.
According to the monitor's information, core forces will remain at the two original bases until further orders for withdrawal are issued.
The transfers were accompanied by the temporary closure of coalition outposts within the mentioned oil fields, in order to evacuate smaller, unprotected positions and reinforce larger ones.
The Observatory also noted that aircraft flying between the al-Omar and Conoco fields were transporting items that the coalition forces could not move by truck.
Read more: US shifts Syria strategy to curb Iran, not rebuild nation: WashPo
US scaling back military presence in Syria
The New York Times reported on Thursday that the US is scaling back its military presence in Syria, reducing troop numbers from 2,000 to approximately 1,400 and closing three of its eight small operating bases.
According to the report, the three bases being shut down—M.S.S. Green Village, M.S.S. Euphrates, and another smaller facility—are all located in northeastern Syria.
After a 60-day period, US commanders will assess whether additional reductions are necessary, the report added. One official noted that the military has recommended maintaining a minimum of 500 troops in Syria.
The drawdown began on Thursday and received approval from both the Pentagon and US Central Command, according to the report.
Read more: 'Israel' alarmed as US plans gradual troop withdrawal from Syria: Ynet
