The United States is preparing to establish a military presence at an air base in Damascus to help monitor and advance a potential security agreement between Syria and Israel, with Washington mediating. The plan, previously unreported, was described to Reuters by six sources familiar with the talks.
A U.S. footprint in Syria’s capital would signal a strategic reset in U.S.-Syria relations following last year’s fall of Bashar al-Assad, long an ally of Iran. The base sits at a key junction with access to southern Syria and is expected to form part of a demilitarised zone under a non-aggression pact between Syria and Israel.
Leaders’ meeting
President Donald Trump will meet Syria’s president, Ahmed al-Saraa, at the White House on Monday, the new Syrian leader’s first official visit to the U.S.
Western and Syrian defence officials told Reuters that recent reconnaissance missions concluded the base’s long runway is ready for immediate use. Technical talks have focused on logistics support, surveillance, resupply and humanitarian operations, with Syria retaining full sovereignty over the facility. Syrian officials said U.S. C-130 transport aircraft have already conducted test landings.
Official lines
A U.S. administration official said Washington “constantly evaluates” its posture in Syria to counter ISIS and would not comment on current or potential operating locations.
It is not yet clear when U.S. military personnel would deploy to the base. Consultations are ongoing as Washington seeks to underpin a Syria-Israel understanding.