AMMAN/DAMASCUS: The United States is preparing to establish a military presence at an airbase in Damascus to support a security agreement between Syria and Israel, sources told Reuters. The move, which has not been previously reported, signals a potential strategic realignment between Syria and the US following the fall of longtime Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad last year.
The base, located near areas expected to become a demilitarized zone under the proposed non-aggression pact, would be used for logistics, surveillance, refueling, and humanitarian operations. US reconnaissance missions have confirmed the runway is ready for immediate use, though Syria would retain full sovereignty over the facility.
Read More: World urges caution as Iran Israel face off in Syria
US officials confirmed military C-130 transport aircraft have already been landing at the base to test its readiness. The Pentagon has accelerated preparations over the past two months, mirroring similar US presences in Lebanon and Israel to monitor ceasefire agreements in the region.
Trump is scheduled to meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House on Monday, marking the first visit by a Syrian head of state. The security pact aims to formalize peace between Syria and Israel, two longtime adversaries, with Washington mediating the talks. Sources said the US is pushing for a deal to be reached before the end of the year, potentially coinciding with Sharaa’s visit to Washington.
Read More: Israel: A Gravedigger Digging its Grave
The new plan would complement existing US forces in northeastern Syria, which support Kurdish-led operations against Islamic State. Any deployment of personnel to the Damascus base has not yet been confirmed, and officials emphasized that the timing and scope of the presence remain under evaluation.