U.S. military begins withdrawing from main base in northeast Syria, Syrian sources say

The U.S. military has commenced its withdrawal from the Qasrak base in Hasakah province, northeastern Syria, as reported by local sources. On February 23, a convoy comprising dozens of trucks, some transporting armored vehicles, was observed departing from the facility. This movement was captured on video by Reuters, showing the trucks traveling along a highway near the city of Qamishli. The withdrawal from Qasrak marks a significant shift in U.S. military presence in the region, which has been a focal point of conflicts involving various factions, including Kurdish forces and ISIS remnants. The U.S. has been involved in Syria since 2014, primarily aimed at combating ISIS and supporting local partners. However, the dynamics in the region have shifted over the years, leading to reduced American military engagement. This latest development raises questions about the future stability of northeastern Syria and the potential power vacuum that may arise with the decrease of U.S. military involvement. Observers are concerned about how this withdrawal might impact local governance and security, particularly given the ongoing tensions among various armed groups in the area.