DAMASCUS, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Syrian forces have taken control of a military base in the northeastern province of Hasakah after U.S.-led coalition troops withdrew from the facility, Syrian authorities said Saturday.
The Syrian defense authority's media office said the army received the Rmeilan base in the countryside of Hasakah following the departure of coalition forces. The base, also known as Kharab al-Jir, lies near the Iraqi border in an area long used by U.S. forces during operations against the Islamic State group.
The handover marks the latest step in a broader U.S. military drawdown from Syria as Washington scales back its presence and transfers some facilities to the country's transitional authorities.
Originally a small agricultural airfield used for crop-dusting, the Rmeilan base is strategically important due to its proximity to the Rmeilan oil fields, among the largest in Syria.
Reports in recent weeks have also indicated that coalition troops began withdrawing equipment from the larger Qasrak base in northeastern Hasakah in late February. ■
