US Hands Over All Major Bases In Syria: Centcom

WASHINGTON, April 18 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The United States (US) has completed the transfer of all major military bases in Syria, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Friday, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

"US forces have completed turning over all of our major bases in Syria as part of a deliberate and conditions-based transition by Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve," spokesman Tim Hawkins told Anadolu.

US forces are still backing counterterrorism operations led by local partners, which Hawkins said are "essential" to sustaining the defeat of ISIS (Daesh) and improving security across the region.

Syria's Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ministry on Thursday welcomed the completed handover of military sites.

"The extension of Syrian state authority over areas that had previously been outside its control – including the northeast and border regions – is the result of the Syrian government’s sustained efforts to unify the country within the framework of a single state," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry also said the transfer signalled the "successful integration" of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into national structures, and the assumption by the Syrian state of "full responsibility" for counterterrorism operations and regional security threats.

On Jan 30, the Syrian government announced that it had reached a comprehensive agreement with the SDF aimed at ending divisions in the country and launching a new phase of integration.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU