Syrian citizens gather at a public park, as they wait to watch the fired Iranian missiles against Israel to pass over Damascus airspace, Syria, June 16, 2025
US FORCES have withdrawn from two more bases in north-eastern Syria, accelerating a drawdown that Kurdish commanders warn is fuelling a resurgence of Isis.
Reuters reporters found the Al-Wazir and Tel Baydar bases largely abandoned last week, with only small contingents of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) remaining.
Cameras had been removed, and perimeter defences were deteriorating.
It brings the number of US bases vacated since Donald Trump took office to four.
A Kurdish politician confirmed that the US had fully left one base. At the other, SDF guards said troops had “recently” departed.
President Donald Trump’s administration plans to reduce troop presence from eight bases to one, with force levels possibly dropping from 2,000 to 500, according to the New York Times.
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi warned that the reduced US presence is “not enough” to contain Isis, which he said had become more active, seizing weapons and regrouping.
He confirmed Isis had killed at least 10 SDF members in recent attacks near former US bases, including Deir Ezzor and Raqqa which were once strongholds for the jihadist group.
