The United States is preparing to establish a military base directly in the Syrian capital. The move would mark a significant geopolitical shift for Damascus following the fall of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad and a clear departure from Iran’s influence.

A New Chapter in the Syrian Conflict

The previously undisclosed U.S. plans to build a military base in Damascus are part of Washington’s broader strategy to stabilize the region and mediate an informal non-aggression pact between Syria and Israel.

The base is to be located near Damascus Airport – a key gateway to the southern parts of the country, which are expected to form a demilitarized zone. This area would serve as a buffer between Israeli and Syrian forces.

The initiative is being facilitated by the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, which, according to its own statements, seeks to create a “historic moment of peace in the Middle East.”

Trump is set to meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House on Monday – the first-ever visit of a Syrian head of state to Washington.

Diplomatic sources say the meeting aims to confirm the framework of the agreement and secure political approval for an American military presence in Syria.

Two Western officials and a representative of the Syrian Defense Ministry told Reuters that the U.S. intends to use the base mainly to monitor the agreement and enforce compliance with any potential ceasefire. In the initial phase, reconnaissance and logistical units would be deployed.

Pentagon Silent, Damascus Cautious

The Pentagon and Syria’s Foreign Ministry initially did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. The Syrian president’s office, contacted via the Ministry of Information, also declined to comment.

A U.S. government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Washington is “constantly reviewing its necessary posture in Syria to effectively combat the Islamic State.” The U.S., he added, does not comment on specific locations “where troops operate or might operate.”

For security reasons, the U.S. government asked Reuters not to disclose the name or exact location of the base – a request the agency honored. A Western military official confirmed that the Pentagon had conducted several reconnaissance flights over the past two months, concluding that the airfield’s runway was immediately operational.

Logistics, Reconnaissance, and Humanitarian Missions

Two Syrian military sources said that technical talks focused on using the base for logistics, surveillance, refueling, and humanitarian operations. Syria would retain full sovereignty over the facility, while the U.S. would act as a “technical partner.”

A Syrian defense official added that the U.S. military had flown C-130 transport aircraft to the base to test the runway’s condition. A security guard at one of the entrances confirmed that American planes had landed there in recent weeks “for testing purposes.” It remains unclear when U.S. personnel will be deployed to the site.

According to officials in Washington, the new U.S. plans align with a long-term strategy to establish small observation bases to monitor local ceasefires. Similar outposts already exist in Lebanon – overseeing the truce between Hezbollah and Israel – and in Israel itself, where U.S. personnel monitor the ceasefire between Hamas and the Israeli army.

The United States has also maintained troops in northeastern Syria for years, supporting Kurdish forces in their fight against the so-called Islamic State. In April, the Pentagon announced plans to reduce troop numbers there to around 1,000.

President al-Sharaa has stated that any foreign military presence in Syria must be coordinated with the new Syrian government. According to both U.S. and Syrian officials, Damascus is preparing to join the U.S.-led Global Coalition against ISIS – a move that could mark the end of Syria’s political isolation.

American Diplomacy on the Offensive

A source familiar with the negotiations said the move was discussed during Admiral Brad Cooper’s visit to Damascus on September 12. Cooper serves as the commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

According to a CENTCOM statement issued at the time, Cooper and U.S. envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack met with President al-Sharaa to thank him for his contributions to the fight against ISIS. They emphasized that cooperation with the United States could help achieve Trump’s “vision of a prosperous Middle East and a stable Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors.” Israel was not mentioned in the statement.

Reuters reports that Washington has been working for months to broker a security pact between Israel and Syria – two longtime adversaries. The agreement was originally expected to be announced at the UN General Assembly in September, but last-minute setbacks stalled the talks.

Pressure on Damascus, Uncertain Outcome

A Syrian source familiar with the talks told Reuters that Washington is pressuring Damascus to finalize the agreement by the end of the year – ideally before President al-Sharaa’s planned visit to the U.S. American officials reportedly believe that a military presence in Damascus would strengthen mutual trust and serve as a guarantee for upholding a future ceasefire.

It remains unclear how regional powers such as Iran and Russia – both with longstanding influence in Syria – will react. Analysts warn that while the new U.S. base could become an important geopolitical instrument, it might also fuel new tensions in an already fragile region.

If the U.S. plans move forward, this would represent the first official American military presence in the heart of Damascus since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011. The base could mark the beginning of a new phase – not only in U.S.-Syrian relations but also in the broader security architecture of the Middle East.

Although still in its early stages, many observers see the project as the clearest signal in years that Syria is attempting to re-enter the international political stage – this time with the backing of Washington.

(reuters, lud)