Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Al-Tanf

Al-Tanf Garrison is a United States military outpost in southeastern Syria's desert region, near the tripoint borders with Iraq and Jordan, established in 2016 to train Syrian partner forces and conduct operations against the Islamic State (ISIS). The base hosts primarily U.S. special operations personnel from units such as the 5th Special Forces Group, who partner with the Maghaweir al-Thowra (Legion of the Revolution), a vetted Syrian faction responsible for securing the surrounding 55-kilometer deconfliction zone established via U.S.-Russian agreements to manage airspace and ground activities. This zone has enabled repeated captures and eliminations of ISIS operatives, including nine fighters detained in one operation and destruction of their equipment. Strategically positioned to monitor cross-border movements, the garrison disrupts potential Iranian proxy supply lines from Iraq toward Syria and Lebanon, aligning with U.S. objectives to counter Tehran's regional influence amid the decline of ISIS's caliphate. As of 2025, U.S. forces maintain training exercises, patrols, and defensive fires at Al-Tanf, sustaining counterterrorism efforts despite ongoing attacks from Iranian-backed militias and ISIS remnants, and facing Syrian, Russian, and Iranian assertions of illegal occupation on sovereign soil.

Location and Strategic Context

Geographical Position

Al-Tanf is situated in southeastern , in a remote area along the M2 international highway that connects , , to , . The garrison lies near the tri-border junction with to the east and to the south, approximately 20 kilometers inside Syrian territory from the Iraqi frontier. Its coordinates are roughly 33°30′N 38°37′E, placing it within the arid Syrian Badia steppe, characterized by low , minimal vegetation, and challenging terrain dominated by gravel plains and rocky outcrops. The location's isolation contributes to its strategic geography, as the surrounding region features sparse settlements and limited road networks beyond the main highway, facilitating control over cross-border movements in this sector of the Syrian Desert.

Geopolitical Significance

Al-Tanf's geopolitical significance stems from its position in the tri-border region of Syria, Iraq, and Jordan, enabling the United States to project power across key Middle Eastern theaters. The base overlooks Highway 109, a critical route connecting Damascus to eastern Syria and Iraq, which has historically facilitated the movement of Iranian-backed militias and supplies toward Lebanon. By maintaining a presence here since 2016, U.S. forces, alongside partner Syrian opposition groups like the Maghaweir al-Thowra, have disrupted potential Iranian land corridors aimed at solidifying Tehran's regional influence. This strategic outpost serves as a bulwark against Iranian expansion, with U.S. operations focused on interdicting weapons transfers to and preventing the entrenchment of Shiite militias along the Iraq- border. The 55-kilometer deconfliction zone established around Al-Tanf through U.S.-Russian agreements in 2016 has contained Syrian regime and pro-Iranian advances, though it has not eliminated incursions or attacks by adversarial forces. As of 2025, approximately 900 U.S. personnel remain stationed in , primarily clustered at Al-Tanf, underscoring its role in sustaining American leverage amid shifting regional dynamics following of the Assad regime. The base also bolsters alliances with and indirectly supports security interests by monitoring and countering Iranian proxy activities in the . Despite criticisms that the garrison imposes strategic costs outweighing benefits, such as vulnerability to attacks and entanglement in local conflicts, proponents argue it preserves U.S. options for and deterrence against resurgent threats. and Syrian objections to the presence highlight ongoing tensions, with deconfliction channels preventing escalation but not resolving disputes over the area.

Establishment and Infrastructure

Initial US Deployment

The United States established a military presence at Al-Tanf in 2016 as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, deploying special operations forces to the Syrian-Jordanian-Iraqi border trijunction to counter the Islamic State (ISIS) and secure critical terrain against terrorist transit. This initial garrison, comprising a small contingent of U.S. advisors—primarily from the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)—focused on training and advising vetted Syrian opposition groups, such as the New Syrian Army and later the Maghaweir al-Thowra, to conduct ground operations in the surrounding desert. The deployment leveraged Al-Tanf's position along Highway 109, a key route for ISIS logistics from Iraq into Syria, enabling U.S. forces to interdict fighters and weapons flows without direct coordination with the Syrian regime. U.S. personnel arrived amid escalating coalition efforts to isolate ISIS caliphate territories, with the Al-Tanf outpost serving as a for joint patrols, intelligence collection, and support. By early 2017, American advisors had embedded with partner forces to execute raids and secure a 55-kilometer eastward, preventing adversarial advances toward the . The initial force size remained limited, estimated at around 150 troops including support elements, emphasizing capabilities over conventional infantry to minimize footprint while maximizing operational impact against ISIS remnants. This deployment marked the first sustained U.S. ground presence in that sector of , distinct from northern operations near , and was justified by as necessary to deny sanctuary and safe passage, though critics noted its potential to complicate relations with Syrian government allies like and . Early activities included equipping partners with vehicles, small arms, and anti-tank weapons, fostering local capacity to hold terrain independently while U.S. air assets provided . The garrison's establishment without Syrian regime consent underscored its nature under interpretations favoring collective against non-state actors.

Base Development and Capabilities

The established the Al-Tanf garrison in 2016 during operations against the , deploying forces to secure the tri-border area and initiate training for Syrian partner units such as the New Syrian Army, later reorganized as Maghaweir al-Thawra. Initial development focused on creating a forward outpost along the M2 highway, clearing elements by early 2016 and establishing a 55-kilometer deconfliction to facilitate operations and deter incursions. Infrastructure at Al-Tanf remains austere, lacking paved roads, airfields, or permanent runways, with supplies delivered via desert convoys from and helicopter landing zones supporting rotary-wing aircraft like UH-60 Black Hawks. By 2023, expansions included four large buildings totaling 2,400 square meters at the base's center, constructed for command, control, and operational purposes. The site features observation posts, positions, and medical facilities to sustain a small, rotational U.S. requiring quick-reaction forces for . Capabilities center on special operations advisory roles, with an average of 100-200 U.S. personnel from units like the 5th Group providing training and equipping partner forces under the Counter-ISIS Train and Equip Fund, which allocated resources for vehicle maintenance, weapons, and sustainment. The garrison enables joint patrols, border monitoring, and rapid response with on-call coalition and organic , including mortars and small arms, to counter threats while disrupting illicit transit routes.

Military Operations

Counter-ISIS Campaigns

The Al-Tanf garrison serves as a key hub for U.S.-led counter-ISIS operations under , emphasizing the denial of safe havens to (ISIS) remnants in southeastern Syria's tri-border region with and . U.S. Special Operations Forces, including elements of the 5th Special Forces Group, provide training, advising, and enabling support to local partner forces within a 55-kilometer de-confliction zone established around the base. Primary partners include the Maghaweir al-Thowra (MaT), a southern Syrian fighting force formed in 2016 with Coalition assistance to combat ISIS and secure border areas. MaT conducts ground patrols, raids, and defensive operations to interdict ISIS fighters attempting to exploit smuggling routes and regroup in remote desert terrains. These efforts have prevented ISIS from reestablishing operational bases near critical transit corridors, contributing to the territorial defeat of the group's caliphate by 2019 while addressing persistent low-level threats. Notable engagements include an November 19, 2017, clash where forces defeated an infiltration attempt in the de-confliction zone, killing nine militants and disrupting their attack plans. airstrikes and from Al-Tanf have supported such actions, targeting convoys and hideouts to degrade their mobility and logistics. By 2018, partner-led operations had cleared remaining pockets from the Al-Tanf sector, reducing attack claims in the area amid broader OIR successes that liberated over 100,000 square kilometers from control across and . Post-caliphate, Al-Tanf operations shifted to countering sleeper cells and foreign fighter flows, with joint exercises enhancing partner capabilities against evolving threats. In February 2025, and conducted cold and hot load training to maintain readiness for rapid response to incursions. Despite reduced territorial holdings, claimed 153 attacks across and from January to June 2024, underscoring the ongoing need for vigilance in peripheral zones like Al-Tanf to prevent resurgence.

Disruption of Iranian Networks

The presence of U.S. and partner forces at Al-Tanf has strategically denied Iranian-aligned militias access to the shortest overland resupply route from through southern Syria to and onward to Hezbollah positions in , compelling to utilize longer, more exposed paths vulnerable to interdiction elsewhere. The 55-kilometer deconfliction zone enforces this denial through continuous ground patrols, surveillance, and targeted strikes, preventing the establishment of Iranian proxy outposts that could facilitate weapons transfers of precision-guided munitions and other advanced systems. A pivotal early operation occurred on May 18, 2017, when U.S. aircraft destroyed elements of a 20-plus vehicle convoy of pro-regime forces, including Iranian-backed militiamen, advancing to within 18 miles (29 kilometers) of Al-Tanf, neutralizing threats like and bulldozers aimed at isolating the garrison. This engagement, the first direct U.S. military action against Iran-aligned forces in , underscored the base's role in preempting encirclement and route dominance. Subsequent patrols by U.S. personnel alongside the Syrian partner force Maghaweir al-Thowra have routinely dismantled militia and attempts in the zone. Further disruptions included a September 3, 2018, on an Iranian and allied operating near Al-Tanf, which halted its movement and inflicted per monitoring reports. In August 2022, U.S. Central Command executed precision strikes on Iranian-backed facilities in eastern following drone attacks on Al-Tanf, killing at least four operatives affiliated with groups like and degrading their operational capacity for cross-border logistics. These actions, combined with the zone's control of the Al-Waleed border crossing, have collectively forced rerouting of Iranian materiel, increasing transit times and exposure to interdictions farther north.

Security Challenges and Incidents

Attacks by Adversarial Forces

Al-Tanf has faced repeated attacks primarily from Iranian-backed militias employing drones and rockets, with occasional attempts attributed to remnants, reflecting efforts to challenge U.S. presence in the de facto exclusion zone. These incidents escalated during periods of heightened regional tensions, such as following U.S. strikes on Iranian assets or amid the Israel-Hamas conflict starting October 2023, though most caused no casualties due to defensive measures like intercepts and fortifications. A significant early incident occurred on October 20, 2021, when multiple projectiles—including up to five munitions from a mix of drones and rockets—directly struck the in a coordinated likely launched by Iranian-backed groups from nearby positions in or . No U.S. or partner forces were injured, but the attack highlighted vulnerabilities in air defenses against low-flying threats and prompted U.S. Central Command to enhance countermeasures. Iranian proxy groups, such as those affiliated with , later propagated claims of responsibility via , framing the strike as retaliation for perceived U.S. aggression, though independent verification tied it to Tehran's network of militias operating across the Iraq-Syria border. Subsequent drone incursions intensified in 2022 and 2023. On , 2022, two s approached the base; coalition forces intercepted one, while the second's outcome remained unclear but resulted in no casualties. Attacks surged post-October 7, 2023, with Iranian-backed groups launching at least two s at Al-Tanf on , contributing to a broader wave that injured 21 U.S. troops across Syrian sites, including traumatic brain injuries from nearby blasts. Further attempts included a November 1, 2023, minor drone strike and multiple interceptions in October 2023, such as one on that caused no damage after being downed. ISIS-affiliated elements have conducted fewer direct assaults on the garrison itself, focusing instead on partner forces in the surrounding Badia , though sleeper cells remain active. A , 2023, attack on a coalition site near Al-Tanf was linked to ISIS operatives probing defenses, with no reported injuries but underscoring persistent low-level threats from the group's decentralized networks. Into 2024, Iranian proxies claimed additional launches, such as on April 1, when U.S. forces downed an incoming , and on June 22, when another was intercepted without impact. These patterns indicate sustained adversarial intent to test U.S. resolve, with defenses mitigating most damage but not eliminating the risk of escalation.

Interactions with Russian and Syrian Elements

The United States established a 55-kilometer deconfliction zone around Al-Tanf upon its deployment in 2016 to prevent inadvertent clashes with advancing Syrian regime forces and their Russian backers, with US forces issuing warnings via radio and visual signals to approaching entities. In May 2017, a US-led coalition conducted airstrikes on a pro-regime convoy of approximately 27 vehicles, including tanks and artillery, that had penetrated within 18 miles of the garrison despite multiple prior warnings, destroying over 100 pro-regime fighters and most of the equipment to enforce the zone's boundaries. Russian aerial provocations escalated in subsequent years, with armed Su-25 jets violating the deconfliction protocols by overflying the Al-Tanf garrison nearly daily throughout March 2023, prompting forces to maintain heightened alert status and communicate via established deconfliction channels. These incursions totaled at least 85 violations since March 1, 2023, including close approaches by Su-35 fighters to F-16s, which Central Command described as unprofessional and escalatory behavior aimed at testing responses. By mid-April 2023, cumulative violations reached 63 since early March, with aircraft flying as low as a few hundred feet over positions. Ground encounters with Russian elements have involved direct harassment of US patrols, such as in August 2020 when armored vehicles rammed a US convoy near Al-Tanf, injuring four American service members in an incident indicative of recurring "road wars" where forces block or probe US movements several times monthly. Earlier, in 2018, private military contractors affiliated with the advanced toward US partner positions near the garrison, leading to defensive US strikes that neutralized over 100 assailants after warnings were ignored. Deconfliction talks via persisted, including notifications prior to airstrikes near the zone in June 2022 targeting militants, though US officials noted persistent tensions despite the communication line remaining operational. Syrian regime forces, often supported by Iranian-backed militias, repeatedly tested the deconfliction perimeter through incursions by ground units and proxies, contributing to a pattern of shadow confrontations that US commanders attributed to efforts to encroach on the garrison's control of key border routes. Following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024, interactions with residual Syrian elements diminished, though US forces maintained patrols and training with local partners amid uncertainties in the transitional government's stance toward foreign military presences.

International and Legal Dimensions

US and Coalition Rationale

The established its presence at Al-Tanf in 2016 as part of , the multinational coalition effort to degrade and defeat the and (ISIS). The base serves to train, advise, and assist partner forces, including the Syrian Arab Coalition such as the Maghaweir al-Thawra, in conducting operations against ISIS remnants in the . This includes maintaining a 55-kilometer deconfliction zone around the garrison to prevent ISIS resurgence by securing key terrain and conducting patrols that have resulted in the elimination of hundreds of ISIS fighters since 2017. Beyond counterterrorism, the U.S. rationale emphasizes disrupting Iranian-backed militias and supply routes transiting from into , thereby limiting Tehran's ability to project power toward the . Al-Tanf's location at the tri-border junction with and positions it to interdict weapons and fighters moving along the M2 Baghdad-Damascus highway, a critical artery for Iranian logistics supporting proxies like . U.S. forces have conducted airstrikes and ground operations targeting these networks, with statements highlighting the need to counter Iranian influence that could enable attacks on U.S. interests and allies. Coalition partners, primarily the U.S. with contributions from forces of allied nations, justify the sustained footprint as a low-cost mechanism to achieve these dual objectives without broader entanglement. Official Department of Defense assessments underscore that the enables persistent , , and reconnaissance over eastern , supporting regional stability by deterring adversarial forces and bolstering Jordanian border security against spillover threats. As of 2025, approximately 200-300 U.S. personnel remain focused on these missions amid evolving threats.

Opposing Viewpoints from Syria, Russia, and Iran

The Syrian government has consistently characterized the U.S. presence at Al-Tanf as an illegal that violates national sovereignty and facilitates . Syrian reports claim that U.S. forces have transferred (Daesh) terrorists from detention facilities to the Al-Tanf area, using the base to harbor and reinforce militant groups. Officials allege coordination between U.S. forces and terrorist organizations in the region, including provision of chemical weapons to militants for staged incidents aimed at discrediting Syrian forces. In March 2022, Syrian reports indicated that U.S. troops trained militants at Al-Tanf in techniques before deploying them to , underscoring claims that the base serves broader geopolitical agendas beyond counterterrorism. President stated in 2023 that Al-Tanf functions solely as a training hub for terrorists, providing no legitimate benefits to U.S. interests other than sustaining instability. Russian officials describe the U.S. military deployment at Al-Tanf as a blatant infringement on Syrian , lacking any legal basis under . The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly demanded an end to the "illegal occupation" of the 55-kilometer deconfliction zone around Al-Tanf, arguing it blocks key transport corridors between , , and while enabling militant training camps. In August 2023, spokesperson highlighted the U.S. presence in Al-Tanf as a hub for terrorist groups, contradicting claims of anti-ISIS operations and instead protecting networks, including oil extraction in eastern . has accused the U.S. of using Al-Tanf to partition , with Foreign Minister noting in 2018 that it severs critical land routes and undermines national unity. Joint Russian-Syrian statements in 2019 called for U.S. withdrawal, labeling the presence unlawful and a barrier to post-conflict . Iranian and aligned resistance groups portray Al-Tanf as a U.S.-orchestrated designed to counter Iranian regional influence and support anti-government militants. Reports from Iranian outlets cite indicating U.S. of up to 500 Daesh operatives at the base for sabotage missions, echoing assessments of terrorist incubation. Following the October 2021 drone attack on Al-Tanf, attributed by U.S. officials to Iran-backed militias, Iranian commentary framed such actions as defensive responses to American aggression that disrupts supply lines and props up elements. In June 2024, after intercepting drones targeting the base, Iranian-aligned sources reiterated that Al-Tanf enables U.S. exploitation of Syrian territory, with no genuine counter-ISIS role but rather a focus on encircling Iranian allies. Ali Khamenei's January 2025 statements criticized persistent U.S. bases like Al-Tanf as illegitimate footholds post-Assad, urging their dismantlement to restore Syrian .

Post-Assad Developments

Adaptation Following Regime Change

Following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024, United States forces at Al-Tanf shifted emphasis toward sustained counter-Islamic State (ISIS) operations in southern Syria, leveraging the garrison's strategic position to monitor and disrupt residual jihadist networks amid uncertainties in the transitional government's capabilities. The new authorities under interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, previously associated with Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham—a U.S.-designated terrorist organization—have prioritized internal stabilization, but U.S. assessments highlighted risks of ISIS resurgence if foreign forces withdrew prematurely, prompting retention of the Al-Tanf contingent for surveillance, training, and rapid response. In June 2025, the U.S. consolidated its Syrian footprint by reducing bases from eight to one, designating Al-Tanf as the primary southern outpost with approximately 200-300 personnel dedicated to Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) missions against . This adaptation reflected a recalibration away from pre-regime change priorities like interdicting Iranian supply corridors—now diminished with Assad's fall—and toward bolstering local partners such as the U.S.-trained Maghaweir al-Thowra (also known as the ), who expanded patrols in the 55-kilometer deconfliction zone to secure border areas and prevent infiltration from and . Coordination with the transitional regime remained limited, as sought greater sovereignty over southern territories, yet U.S. officials cited ongoing attacks— including attempted incursions near Tanf in early 2025—as justification for indefinite presence. By October 2025, Al-Tanf operations incorporated enhanced intelligence-sharing with Jordanian and Iraqi counterparts to counter cross-border threats, adapting to the by embedding teams for joint exercises with vetted local militias while avoiding direct entanglement with Sharaa's forces, whose Islamist roots raised concerns over long-term alignment. This posture enabled the interception of several cells attempting to exploit post-Assad power vacuums, with U.S. drone strikes and ground raids maintaining pressure on dormant networks in the . Analysts from institutions like the Washington Institute noted that such adaptations preserved U.S. leverage in without committing to the new government's broader reconstruction efforts, prioritizing empirical threat mitigation over diplomatic normalization.

Continued Operations in 2025

Following the overthrow of the Assad regime in late 2024, U.S. forces at Al-Tanf garrison sustained operations into 2025, prioritizing counter-ISIS activities amid a reported resurgence of the group in . As of April 2025, American troops continued training U.S.-backed Syrian partner forces, such as the , to secure the border region near and . These efforts included joint patrols and support for local factions in maintaining control over n terrain, preventing ISIS exploitation of post-regime power vacuums. Coalition live-fire exercises occurred on May 1, 2025, in the Al-Tanf vicinity, demonstrating ongoing operational readiness against terrorist threats. By June, analyses emphasized that premature reduction of U.S. presence at Al-Tanf risked bolstering capabilities, underscoring the garrison's role in sustaining pressure on remnants and disrupting potential Iranian-linked networks in the area. The base housed partner units like Maghaweir al-Thowra, aligned with U.S. objectives in combating while integrating into emerging Syrian security structures. Into October 2025, U.S. operations at Al-Tanf remained unaltered, with embedded support for Syrian conducting anti-ISIS missions in the desert garrison. This persistence served dual purposes: surveillance and coordination, as well as strategic denial of the region to adversarial influences. Approximately 200 U.S. personnel operated there under Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, adapting to Syria's transitional dynamics without full withdrawal.

References

  1. [1]
    The Future of al-Tanf Garrison in Syria | The Washington Institute
    Dec 6, 2021 · The base is used to continue operations against the Islamic State (IS) and disrupt the activities of Iranian proxies in Syria, but it also ...
  2. [2]
    Inside the remote U.S. base in Syria central to combating ISIS and ...
    Oct 22, 2018 · The Al Tanf garrison was established to help local forces eliminate the Islamic State terror group. But with the Islamic State in decline ...Missing: history | Show results with:history<|separator|>
  3. [3]
    Maghawir al-Thowra Captures Daesh Fighters in 55km Deconfliction ...
    The Maghawir al-Thowra, an Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) partner force in Syria, detained nine Daesh fighters who were traveling through the 55-kilometer ...Missing: Tanf | Show results with:Tanf
  4. [4]
    Coalition Partner Forces Kill 9 ISIS Members in Southern Syria
    Nov 19, 2017 · On Nov. 16, coalition partner forces near At Tanf Garrison, Syria, killed nine Islamic State of Iraq and Syria fighters and destroyed ...
  5. [5]
    The small Special Forces base in al-Tanf, Syria has ... - Sandboxx
    Nov 7, 2022 · As tensions in the Middle East spike, al-Tanf's importance to Washington in preventing Syria from becoming a vassal state increases.Missing: history | Show results with:history
  6. [6]
    American troops train Syrian Free Army at Tanf Garrison as US ...
    Apr 16, 2025 · US forces in Tanf continue to train with Syrian partner forces and support their work securing an area of southern Syria near the Iraqi and Jordanian borders.
  7. [7]
    Video - Operation Inherent Resolve
    Feb 26, 2025 · ... Force Armadillo, fires a Pre-Action Calibration Firing (PACFIRE) exercise at Al-Tanf Garrison, Syria, on Feb. 26, 2025. The PACFIRE exercise ...
  8. [8]
    Al Tanf garrison: America's strategic baggage in the Middle East
    Nov 20, 2020 · Al Tanf is strategic baggage because maintaining it outstrips most regional benefits and impacts availability of military assets for other missions.Missing: history | Show results with:history
  9. [9]
    Al-Tanf US base - Rif-dimashq Governorate - Mapcarta
    Al-Tanf US base ; Latitude. 33.50728° or 33° 30′ 26″ north ; Longitude. 38.62131° or 38° 37′ 17″ east ; Operator. US Army ; Open location code. 8G5WGJ4C+WG.Missing: geographical coordinates<|separator|>
  10. [10]
    Al Tanf Base – A Strategic and Critical Base for the Interests of the ...
    Sep 11, 2025 · It enables U.S. forces to monitor and combat the resurgence of ISIS, which is rearing its head in the Syrian desert. The base's proximity to ...Missing: establishment history
  11. [11]
    Burning Bridge: The Iranian Land Corridor to the Mediterranean - FDD
    Jun 18, 2019 · Iran's effort to establish a land bridge across Syria and Iraq is connected to a four decade-long proxy war that Iran is waging to pursue its ...
  12. [12]
    The US, Russia, and Iran butt heads in Syria and Iraq - The Cradle
    Aug 23, 2023 · Washington argues that it does so in “self-defense,” to prevent attacks against US forces stationed at bases like Syria's al-Tanf and Iraq's Ain ...
  13. [13]
    Why Did Iran Target the Tanf US Base in Syria? - Asharq Al-Awsat
    Aug 15, 2022 · Its declared purpose was to provide direct support to Syrian opposition factions in their fight against the ISIS terror group. The other reason ...<|separator|>
  14. [14]
    What Syria's Revived Civil War Means for the Region
    Iran is deeply invested in Syria with dozens of military bases ... The are currently 900 U.S. military personnel in Syria clustered around a base in al Tanf.
  15. [15]
    US Al-Tanf Military Garrison: The Epicenter of Tumult
    Jan 16, 2023 · It received little attention until the American army established a garrison there to have a force at the epicenter of regional tensions, near ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
  16. [16]
    A Secretive US Special-Operations Base in Syria Is Taking Fire from ...
    Nov 2, 2022 · A remote U.S. special-operations base in the Syrian desert is caught in a shadow war between military powers in the Middle East.
  17. [17]
    American Special Forces Versus Russian Mercenaries in Syria
    May 11, 2023 · 50-caliber weapons training during counter-ISIS operations at Al Tanf garrison in southern Syria in November 2017. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob ...
  18. [18]
    Al Tanf Garrison - US Bases in Syria - GlobalSecurity.org
    Feb 8, 2018 · However, on 10 June 2017, Syrian regime and pro-regime forces bypassed At Tanf and reached the border with Iraq, effectively blocking the ...Missing: deployment date
  19. [19]
    Photos show US joint patrols with rebels in southern Syria
    Jun 14, 2017 · US special forces and fighters from Maghaweir al Thowra at the Tanf border crossing in late May. Photos released by a news outlet affiliated to ...
  20. [20]
    US Expanding Its Presence in Syrian Desert, Rebels Say
    Jun 14, 2017 · U.S. special forces have been based since last year at Tanf, a strategic Syrian highway border crossing with Iraq, where the Americans have ...
  21. [21]
    The Trouble with Tanf: Tactics Driving Strategy in Syria
    Jun 12, 2017 · In what represents the biggest change to America's use of force in Syria, U.S. forces have, on three separate occasions, struck Syrian ...Missing: blocking | Show results with:blocking
  22. [22]
    Investigation Reveals Developments at al-Tanf base. Is Washington ...
    Sep 13, 2023 · This base represents the most critical and largest US military presence in the Syrian desert. The platform conducted a thorough ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
  23. [23]
    Coalition leaders condemn ineffective al-Tanf Garrison attack
    Aug 15, 2022 · Brennan further emphasized that the unsuccessful attack would not deter the Coalition or the MaT from the firm commitment to deny an ISIS ...
  24. [24]
    Syrian Free Army (SFA) / Jaysh Maghawir al-Thawra (MaT ...
    Dec 15, 2024 · The Anti-ISIS coalition military base at al-Tanf, operated in coordination with Jordanian security forces, is a strategic crossing ...
  25. [25]
    Lead Inspector General for Operation Inherent Resolve I Quarterly ...
    Jul 29, 2022 · U.S. military activity related to OIR focuses on advising and enabling of partner forces as they build their capacity to fight ISIS ...Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements<|control11|><|separator|>
  26. [26]
    Syria's Maghaweir al-Thowra former leader reveals reasons for his ...
    Oct 17, 2022 · Al-Tala, who founded the Maghaweir al-Thowra in 2016 with support from the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, is a former colonel of ...
  27. [27]
    [PDF] Operation Inherent Resolve - DoD
    May 24, 2025 · On May 26, Kurdish authorities in northeastern Syria reached an agreement with the Syrian government for a “joint mechanism” to return families ...<|separator|>
  28. [28]
    Coalition Forces and Syrian Free Army Conduct Cold and Hot Load ...
    Feb 23, 2025 · The exercise underscores the Coalition's commitment to advising, assisting, and enabling partner forces in the fight against ISIS and ...
  29. [29]
    Defeat ISIS Mission in Iraq and Syria for January – June 2024
    TAMPA, Fla. – From January to June 2024, ISIS has claimed 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria. At this rate, ISIS is on pace to more than double the total number ...
  30. [30]
    U.S. Warplanes in Syria Hit Pro-Government Militia Convoy
    May 18, 2017 · On Thursday, American officials said, more than 20 vehicles drove within 18 miles of the al-Tanf base in southern Syria housing the American and ...
  31. [31]
    US jets attack Iran-backed militiamen in south-eastern Syria
    May 18, 2017 · US jets have attacked a convoy of Iranian-backed militiamen in south-eastern Syria in the first clash between the American military and forces loyal to TehranMissing: destroy | Show results with:destroy
  32. [32]
    US-led coalition hits pro-Assad fighters' convoy | ISIL/ISIS News
    May 19, 2017 · A US official said on Thursday the attack near the town of al-Tanf destroyed at least one tank and a bulldozer, while another official said they ...
  33. [33]
    Iranian convoy hit in strike near US base in Syria, monitor says
    Sep 3, 2018 · “A convoy of Iranian forces and allied militia was hit by airstrikes as it drove near Al-Tanf base,” the monitor's head Rami Abdel Rahman said.Missing: destroy | Show results with:destroy
  34. [34]
    Kataib Hezbollah's Role in the August 15 al-Tanf Attack
    Aug 25, 2022 · On August 15, the U.S. base at al-Tanf, Syria, was reportedly struck with two KAS-04 drones, the U.S. nomenclature for Iranian-produced fixed- ...
  35. [35]
    U.S. says airstrikes killed 4 Iranian-backed militia members in Syria
    Aug 25, 2022 · The latest spike in attacks came after militias backed by Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard targeted U.S. troops on Aug. 15 at the al-Tanf ...
  36. [36]
    Militia Propaganda Around the Attack on al-Tanf
    Oct 22, 2021 · On October 20, multiple projectiles struck al-Tanf base in Syria, a point of presence for coalition advisors to local forces fighting the ...Missing: establishment | Show results with:establishment
  37. [37]
    [PDF] Drone Strike Against U.S. Forces in Tanf, Syria - JINSA
    A coordinated drone and rocket attack, likely from an Iranian-backed militia, struck the U.S. outpost at Tanf in southern Syria on October 20.Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline
  38. [38]
    Attack hits Syria base that houses U.S. troops; no U.S. injuries
    Oct 21, 2021 · A military outpost in southern Syria was hit by a coordinated attack on Wednesday, but US officials said no American troops stationed there were injured or ...
  39. [39]
    US-Iran Tensions in Syria: Timeline
    Aug 26, 2022 · August 15: Two drones approached the al Tanf Garrison, a remote outpost in southern Syria. Coalition forces intercepted one drone, but a ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  40. [40]
    Surge of Middle East Attacks Left 21 Troops Injured, Most with ...
    Oct 26, 2023 · ... attacks at al Asad Airbase in Iraq and the al-Tanf Garrison in Syria, which occurred between Oct. 17 and Oct. 18. Of those injuries, 19 were ...
  41. [41]
    Attacks on US bases during the Gaza war - Wikipedia
    On 18 October 2023, a drone strike by an Iranian proxy on the al-Tanf garrison resulted in over 20 injuries. On 1 November, a minor drone strike was reported ...
  42. [42]
    More drones targeting US troops in Syria shot down, Pentagon says
    Oct 23, 2023 · Another drone attack at al-Tanf on Thursday caused minor injuries, U.S. officials said. On Wednesday, U.S. forces shot down one drone and ...
  43. [43]
    Timeline: US forces in Iraq and Syria were attacked at least 28 times ...
    Nov 1, 2023 · At least two drones were launched against U.S. and coalition forces at al-Tanf Garrison in Syria on Oct. 18. They were engaged and at least one ...
  44. [44]
    Drone attack hits US-led coalition base in southern Syria - Al Jazeera
    Jan 20, 2023 · Sleeper cells of the armed ISIL (ISIS) group are also active in the area. The coalition set up the base in 2016 to train Syrian fighters for the ...
  45. [45]
    Timeline of Proxy Attacks: Iraq, Syria and Jordan | The Iran Primer
    Feb 1, 2024 · Some 2,500 Americans were based in Iraq as part of the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS. Al Asad was the largest Iraqi base used by U.S. forces.Missing: incidents | Show results with:incidents
  46. [46]
    US Base in Syria Comes Under Attack After Months of Relative Calm
    Jun 22, 2024 · A drone aiming for a US military base in Syria's Al-Tanf was intercepted and destroyed on Saturday, months after Iran-backed militants suspended such attacks.
  47. [47]
    [PDF] Iran Projectile Tracker: Attacks Against U.S. Troops Resume - JINSA
    Jun 20, 2025 · » Iran-backed militia have conducted at least 216 attacks against U.S. forces since Octo- ber 7, 2023, which included 372 rockets, missiles, and ...
  48. [48]
    U.S. aircraft conduct strike on Syrian army convoy - CBS News
    May 18, 2017 · In one incident, 27 regime vehicles drove within 18 miles of al-Tanf, which breached the 34 mile radius of the army convoy. U.S. aircraft ...
  49. [49]
    Syria conflict: Russia issues warning after US coalition downs jet
    Jun 19, 2017 · In May, US-led coalition aircraft bombed a convoy of pro-Syrian government forces who were reportedly moving towards a base at al-Tanf being ...<|separator|>
  50. [50]
    Russian jets have flown over U.S. base in Syria nearly every day in ...
    Mar 22, 2023 · Armed Russian jets have flown over a US military garrison in Syria nearly every day in March, violating a 4-year-old agreement between the US and Russia and ...
  51. [51]
    Russians seem to be baiting US jets to dogfight in Syria, general says
    Apr 28, 2023 · Russian aircraft have also violated longstanding deconfliction protocols 85 times since March 1, including 22 in the past nine days, Air & Space ...
  52. [52]
    Russia's Su-35, US F-16 Engage In 'Dangerous Encounter' Over Syria
    Apr 21, 2023 · The US and Russian forces are required to respect each other's space in the airspace over Syria, including a 34-mile deconfliction zone near the ...
  53. [53]
    9 AF (AFCENT) Commander flies with 77 EFS, expresses concern ...
    Apr 19, 2023 · Since March 1st, Russian aircraft have violated the deconfliction protocols 63 times, including the one of the most recent violations on April ...
  54. [54]
    Russia Ups Its Dangerous Behavior in Syria With 'Unprofessional ...
    Apr 20, 2023 · Russia has stepped up its harassment of US forces in Syria, overflying American positions with armed fighters and closing within a few hundred feet of US ...
  55. [55]
    Russians Ram US Vehicle in Syria, Injuring Four Americans
    Aug 27, 2020 · Four American troops were injured after a vehicle collision with Russians in Syria this week, underscoring a broader uptick in aggressive encounters.
  56. [56]
    Russia warned US it was going to conduct airstrikes on fighters in ...
    Jun 16, 2022 · The incident happened in the vicinity of Al-Tanf garrison in southeastern Syria, where US and Syrian opposition forces have long operated. The ...
  57. [57]
    https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2024/12/23/us-military-syria-rebels-assad/
  58. [58]
    US military supported Syrian rebel offensive that toppled Assad ...
    Dec 23, 2024 · Syrian rebel commanders admitted that the US military helped them overthrow the government of Bashar al-Assad. NATO member Turkey and Israel played key roles ...
  59. [59]
    Al-Tanf: The US stronghold in Syria and how it safeguards Israel
    Dec 2, 2024 · According to Magruder, Al-Tanf was meant to facilitate the continued fight against ISIS, counter Iranian activities, and maintain leverage in ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
  60. [60]
    https://archive.sana.sy/en/?p=334997
  61. [61]
    The illegal US military presence on Syrian territory hinders its stability
    Jul 23, 2024 · ... US occupation forces on Syrian territory. ''Russia insists that ... al-Tanf base, which is affiliated with the American occupation.
  62. [62]
    US occupation transfers Daesh terrorists to its bases in al-Tanf area ...
    Mar 12, 2023 · Over the past years,the occupation forces transferred a large number of Daesh terrorists from Ghweran prison and a number of illegal camps and ...
  63. [63]
    Dandi: US occupation provided terrorists with chemical weapons to ...
    Aug 8, 2023 · New York, SANA – “US occupation forces provided terrorists in al-Tanf with chemical weapons, and trained them to use them for alleged incident ...
  64. [64]
    Lavrentiev: US occupation coordinates with terrorist organizations in ...
    Jun 22, 2023 · “There is information that the US is reinforcing its forces in northeastern Syria and in al-Tanf region which it occupies,” Lavrentiev said ...
  65. [65]
    US army trained terrorists in al-Tanf base to move them to Ukraine
    Mar 4, 2022 · ... al-Tanf base controlled by US occupation ,as they underwent special training on the methods of dong acts of sabotage and terrorism with a ...
  66. [66]
    Assad: US military base in Syrias strategic al-Tanf serves ... - Press TV
    Mar 16, 2023 · Al-Tanf serves entirely as a base for training terrorists, and has no purpose other than that. What benefits do American forces drive from their ...
  67. [67]
    US presence near Al-Tanf violates Syria's sovereignty — diplomat
    MOSCOW, March 2. /TASS/. The United States' illegal presence in the Al-Tanf area is a blatant violation of Syria's sovereignty, Russian Foreign Ministry ...
  68. [68]
    https://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/1900445/
  69. [69]
    Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on the ...
    Aug 14, 2023 · The illegal US military presence in the trans-Euphrates and around Al Tanf in the southeast of Syria , where militants of various terrorist ...
  70. [70]
    Press release on the adoption of UN Security Resolution 2401 on ...
    Feb 25, 2018 · ... US hinders, while, in violation of Syrian sovereignty, occupying vast areas for deploying their military base near Al-Tanf. It is important ...
  71. [71]
    Russia and Syria call for US troops to leave Syria - Euronews.com
    Feb 27, 2019 · call on the United States, whose military units are on Syrian territory illegally, to leave the country," said the joint statement. Earlier ...
  72. [72]
    US training Daesh terrorists at Syria's al-Tanf base to be sent to ...
    May 18, 2022 · US occupation forces are reportedly training some 500 Daesh terrorists in order to carry out acts of sabotage and terrorists attacks against ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  73. [73]
    Officials: Iran behind drone attack on US base in Syria - Al Jazeera
    Oct 25, 2021 · United States officials believe Iran was behind a drone attack last week at a military outpost at al-Tanf in southern Syria where American troops are based.
  74. [74]
    Iran Issues Warning About US Bases in Syria - Newsweek
    Jan 1, 2025 · In a series of posts on X, Khamenei criticized the U.S. presence in Syria after rebels ousted the country's former president, Bashar al-Assad, ...
  75. [75]
    With Assad's Fall, Syria Embraces Freedom But Faces Huge ...
    Mar 11, 2025 · The fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024 brought to an end nearly 54 years of Assad family dynastic and dictatorial rule ...
  76. [76]
    Syria: Transition and U.S. Policy - Congress.gov
    Sep 5, 2025 · Interim president Ahmed Al Sharaa led a group long designated by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization. Interim authorities have ...<|separator|>
  77. [77]
    Reducing the U.S. Presence in Syria Too Quickly Could Help the ...
    Jun 4, 2025 · Yet until the new government in Damascus or other actors prove they can take on the main U.S. mission in Syria—fighting the Islamic State (IS)— ...
  78. [78]
    US troop presence in Syria will be reduced to a single base, envoy ...
    Jun 4, 2025 · The number of US bases in Syria will be pared from eight to one, the American ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria said this week.
  79. [79]
    US-backed Syrian Free Army continues to patrol Tanf area in ...
    Feb 10, 2025 · With the fall of the Bashar al Assad regime on December 8, the group has been pushed into the spotlight as Syria undergoes a rapid transition.
  80. [80]
    https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2025/10/20/iraq-keeping-some-us-military-advisers-due-to-is-threat-in-syria/
  81. [81]
    https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/status-syrias-transition-after-two-months
  82. [82]
    The Status of Syria's Transition After Two Months
    Feb 12, 2025 · Overall, post-Assad Syria has achieved a far higher degree of civil peace than many predicted two months ago. Authorities continue to ...
  83. [83]
    https://www.inherentresolve.mil/NEWSROOM/News-Articles/Stories-Display/Article/4168466/live-fire-exercises-in-syria-for-may/
  84. [84]
    Live Fire Exercises in Syria for May - Operation Inherent Resolve
    On May 1, 2025, Coalition service members will be conducting live fire operational exercises in or near the Al Hasakah and Al Tanf regions in Syria.Missing: military | Show results with:military
  85. [85]
    Building Syria's new army: Future plans and the challenges ahead
    Jun 12, 2025 · Since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Ankara and Damascus have been negotiating a joint defense agreement. Under the proposed ...<|separator|>
  86. [86]
    https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-october-20-2025/
  87. [87]
    https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-october-20-2025/