U.S. and Syria say handover of American military bases in Syria is complete

What changed on the ground?

According to Syrian and U.S. statements, the military sites previously used by U.S. forces were handed over, and the last convoy left Qasrak air base in Hasakah province on Thursday NYT,Daily Mail,U.S. News & World R….

Why were U.S. troops in Syria?

Multiple reports say U.S. forces had been deployed in Syria for years as part of the campaign against ISIS, often alongside Kurdish-led partner forces NYT,Al Jazeera Online,Dawn.

Did both governments acknowledge the handover?

Yes. Syria's Foreign Ministry said all former U.S. sites had been transferred to Damascus, and the New York Times and Deutsche Welle reported that U.S. Central Command said it had completed the turnover of its major bases La Libre.be,NYT,Deutsche Welle.