Sources: U.S. Base Near Damascus to Monitor Upcoming Syria–Israel Security Agreement
Six informed sources revealed that the United States is preparing to deploy forces at an airbase near the Syrian capital, Damascus, to monitor the implementation of a forthcoming security agreement between Syria and Israel, mediated by Washington.
According to the sources, speaking Thursday, the base is located on the edge of southern Syrian regions expected to be included in a demilitarized zone under the deal currently being negotiated. The exact location has not been disclosed for security reasons. A U.S. official confirmed that “the site of the military presence cannot be revealed at this time for operational reasons.”
A Western military official said the Pentagon has accelerated its plans for the base over the past two months, conducting several reconnaissance missions that concluded the runway was “ready for immediate use.”
Two Syrian military sources stated that technical discussions have focused on using the base for logistical, monitoring, refueling, and humanitarian operations, with Damascus insisting it will retain full sovereignty over the facility.
An informed source added that the move was discussed during a September 12 meeting in Damascus between the Head of Syrian interim Government Ahmad al-Sharaa and Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
A Syrian security official said U.S. C-130 transport aircraft had landed at the base in recent weeks to test the runway’s readiness, while a security guard at the site told Reuters that the aircraft have been conducting “regular test landings.”
According to the same sources, Washington’s plans mirror U.S. monitoring operations in Lebanon and Gaza, which oversee ceasefire agreements between Israel and both Hezbollah and Hamas.
The United States currently maintains about 1,000 troops in northeastern Syria, as part of a nearly decade-long mission supporting the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in combating ISIS.
The development comes just days ahead of the head of Syrian interim goverment Ahmad al-Sharaa’s visit to Washington next Monday, where he is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in the first meeting between the two countries’ leaders.
