Syrian Army Takes Control of Al-Shaddadi Base: A Shift in Military Dynamics
In a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Syria, the Syrian army has successfully taken control of the al-Shaddadi base in the northern region of the country. This maneuver comes as part of a broader strategy to implement a Washington-brokered ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), marking a notable shift in the military dynamics of the region.
The takeover of al-Shaddadi, which occurred after the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the facility, underscores the evolving relationship between Syrian government troops and the SDF. The al-Shaddadi base, previously used in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), was an essential point of collaboration between the SDF and American military forces. However, recent developments indicate a reconfiguration of alliances as Syria’s military aims to reintegrate various local forces into its centralized structure.
This operation follows a similar move just days earlier, when Syrian troops assumed control of another military base in al-Tanf, strategically located near the borders with Iraq and Jordan. Both actions are aligned with a ceasefire agreement reached last month, which seeks to establish a more cohesive governance framework involving the SDF alongside Syrian government forces. The ceasefire marks a critical step toward alleviating weeks of tension, characterized by intense armed confrontations between advancing government troops and their Kurdish counterparts.
In a report, Al Jazeera’s Heidi Pett provides insights from Aleppo, offering on-ground perspectives as this situation unfolds. The growing cooperation, although tentative, signals potential new pathways to peace in a region long marred by conflict.
Omer Ozkizilcik, a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who specializes in security and Turkish foreign policy, emphasizes the importance of this evolution. He notes that the integration of the SDF into Syrian state structures may dramatically reshape the political landscape of northern Syria, posing both opportunities and challenges for stability in the broader Middle East.
As the Syrian army consolidates control over these critical bases, the implications for future military and political strategies remain to be seen. The interplay between local forces, the Syrian government, and external powers like the United States continues to be a pivotal narrative in the region’s tumultuous history.
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Video “Syrian army takes control of al-Shaddadi base in coordination with US after its forces withdrew” was uploaded on 02/15/2026 to Youtube Channel Al Jazeera English