United States forces have commenced their withdrawal from Syria, with a complete exit expected within one month. This move follows over a decade of military presence, during which approximately one thousand American soldiers operated from bases in areas outside of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's control, primarily to combat the Islamic State (IS). The withdrawal, which began with the evacuation of a base in Qasrak, Hassaké province, involves the transport of armored vehicles and prefabricated structures towards the Iraqi border. This decision coincides with the Syrian central government extending its authority and joining the anti-IS coalition, and the integration of Kurdish forces into the Syrian army. The US has already transferred over 5,700 suspected IS detainees to Iraq for continued surveillance.