Suriye Çölü’nde ABD Askeri Varlığı Tenf Garnizonu

Year 2025, Issue: 44, 99 - 125, 26.05.2025

Yasin Atlıoğlu

Abstract

ABD liderliğindeki Uluslararası Koalisyon, 2015’ten bu yana Ürdün-Irak-Suriye sınırının kesiştiği mevkide bulunan Tenf’i kullanarak Suriye’nin güneydoğusundaki çöl bölgesinde DEAŞ militanlarına karşı askeri mücadele yürütüyor. Tenf’teki ABD garnizonu, Amerikan Özel Kuvvetleri’ne ve Suriye Özgür Ordusu (SÖO) adlı Suriyeli bir silahlı gruba ev sahipliği yapıyor. Daha önce Yeni Suriye Ordusu ve Devrimci Komando Ordusu adını da kullanan SÖO, yıllardır ABD tarafından desteklendi ve eğitildi. Bununla birlikte Tenf Garnizonu çöl bölgesinde DAEŞ’e karşı askeri mücadeleyi sürdürülmesinin yanı sıra Suriye’deki İran nüfuzunu zayıflatmak ve İran’ın Lübnan’a uzanan kara koridorunu sınırlamak gibi örtülü amaçlara da hizmet etti. Bu çalışmada ABD’nin Suriye İç Savaşı’na askeri müdahaleleri ve Suriye Çölü’ne yönelik izlediği askeri stratejinin kapsamı ve hedefleri incelenmektedir. Bu bağlamda Tenf Garnizonu’nun ABD’nin askeri stratejisinin uygulanmasındaki rolüne odaklanılmaktadır.

Keywords

Suriye , İç Savaş , ABD , DAEŞ , Suriye Çölü , Tenf

The US Military Presence in the Syrian Desert: Al-Tanf Garrison

Abstract

Since 2015, the US-led Global Coalition has been conducting a military campaign against DAESH militants in the southeastern desert region of Syria, utilizing al-Tanf, located at the intersection of the Jordanian, Iraqi, and Syrian borders. The US garrison in al-Tanf has hosted both US Special Forces and the Syrian Free Army (SFA), a Syrian armed faction. The SFA, formerly known as the Revolutionary Commando Army and the New Syrian Army, has received US support and training for years. In addition to combating DAESH in the desert region, al-Tanf Garrison has also served covert purposes such as reducing Iranian influence in Syria and restricting Iran's land corridor to Lebanon. This study examines US military interventions in the Syrian Civil War and the scope and objectives of its military strategy towards the Syrian desert. In this context, it focuses on the role of al-Tanf Garrison in implementing the US military strategy in the region.

Keywords

Syria , Civil War , The US , DAESH , Syrian Desert , Al-Tanf

References

• Al-Arabiya. (2015, Şubat 19). Turkey, U.S. sign deal to train and equip Syrian rebels. https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2015/02/19/U-S-identifies-1-200-potential-fighters-for-Syria-training.
• Al-Bustani, M. (2022, Haziran 23). Bombing US garrison at al-Tanf is a Russian warning, not only a message. Enab Baladi. https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2022/06/bombing-us-garrison-at-al-tanf-is-a-russian-warning-not-only-a-message/.
• Al-Jazeera. (2019, Şubat 27). Russia, Syria urge US to withdraw its troops. https://www.aljazeera.com /news/2019/2/27/russia-syria-urge-us-to-withdraw-its-troops.
• Al-Jazeera. (2024a, Ocak 20). What is Tower 22, the Jordan-based US outpost targeted in a drone strike?. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/29/what-is-tower-22-the-jordan-based-us-outpost-targeted-in-a-drone-strike.
• Al-Jazeera. (2024b, Kasım 20). At least 36 killed in Israeli attack on Syria’s Palmyra: State media. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/20/at-least-36-killed-in-israeli-attack-on-syrias-palmyra-state-media.
• Al-Jeratli, K. & Ibrahim, H. (2023, Temmuz 28). International conflict mounts in northeastern Syria: Mobilization on both Euphrates banks; Who lights the fuse?. Enab Baladi. https://english.enabbaladi.net /archives/2023/07/mobilization-on-both-euphrates-banks-who-lights-the-fuse/
• Al-Jeratli, K. (2024a, Mart 18). Commander of Free Syrian Army to Enab Baladi: We are open to dialogue with everyone. Enab Baladi. https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2024/03/commander-of-free-syrian-army-to-enab-baladi-we-are-open-to-dialogue-with-everyone/.
• Al-Jeratli, K. (2024b, Nisan 23). Russian raids around al-Tanf accompanied by accusations against Americans. Enab Baladi. https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2024/04/russian-raids-around-al-tanf-accompanied-by-accusations-against-americans/.
• Al-Jeratli, K. (2024c, Aralık 24). Israel surpasses security claims with bombing and incursion in southern Syria. Enab Baladi. https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2024/12/israel-surpasses-security-claims-with-bombing-and-incursion-in-southern-syria/.
• Al-Khalidi, S. (2019, Temmuz 28). Syria’s Rukban camp dwindles after five-month Russian siege - residents, aid workers. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-camp/syrias-rukban-camp-dwindles-after-five-month-russian-siege-residents-aid-workers-idUSKCN1UM0OT/.
• Al-Koshak, O. (2015, Ekim 13). Mapping Southern Syria’s Armed Opposition. Al-Jazeera. https://studies.aljazeera.net/en/reports/2015/10/2015101383740214464.html.
• Al-Zein, R. (2023, Mart 11). Free Syrian Army Commander: Attacks on Tanf Base Aimed at Sparking Side Conflicts. Asharq Al-Awsat. https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4205756/free-syrian-army-commander-attacks-tanf-base-aimed-sparking-side-conflicts.
• Anadolu Agency. (2015, Mayıs 21). Syrian Observatory: Daesh now controls 50 percent of Syria. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/syrian-observatory-daesh-now-controls-50-percent-of-syria/45058.
• Anadolu Agency. (2023, Ekim 24). 3 US military bases in Syria come under attack. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/3-us-military-bases-in-syria-come-under-attack/3030447.
• Anadolu Ajansı. (2013, Mayıs 22). ABD’den Suriyeli muhaliflere silah yardımı. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/abdden-suriyeli-muhaliflere-silah-yardimi/244021.
• Anadolu Ajansı. (2014, Eylül 19). Suriyeli muhaliflere yardım Senato’da onaylandı. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/suriyeli-muhaliflere-yardim-senato-da-onaylandi/118830.
• Arraf, J. (2024 Aralık 31). Syria’s U.S.-trained opposition fighters wait to learn of their role in a new Syria. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2024/12/31/g-s1-39955/syria-opposition-fighters-hts-military-us.
• Arslan, E. (2022, Kasım 28). Davut Peygamberin Koridoru Yeniden Neden İnşa Ediliyor?. STRASAM. https://strasam.org/ua-iliskiler/uluslararasi-sorunlar/davut-peygamberin-koridoru-yeniden-neden-insa-ediliyor-1420.
• Asharq Al-Awsat. (2020, Nisan 19). Damascus Reveals Defections from Syrian Opposition in Tanf. https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2241531/damascus-reveals-defections-syrian-opposition-tanf.
• Ateş, A. (2021). Understanding the Obama Administration’s Syria Policy. Manas Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 10(2), 1436-1448, https://doi.org/10.33206/mjss.855298.
• Athanasiadis, I. (2024,Şubat 20). What is the US Doing in a Disputed Triangle on the Jordan/Syria/Iraq Border?. STIMSON. https://www.stimson.org/2024/tower-22-us-disputed-triangle-jordan-syria-iraq-border/.
• BBC Türkçe. (2015, Eylül 30). ABD’nin eğit-donat projesi askıda. https://www.bbc.com/turkce /haberler/2015/09/150930_egit_donat.
• Beeri, T. (2022, Ekim 30). The Iranian Corridor to Syria & Lebanon. ALMA Research and Education Center https://israel-alma.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/The-Land-Corridor-to-Syria-Lebanon.pdf.
• Blomfield, A. (2024, Aralık 18). US prepared Syrian rebel group to help topple Bashar al-Assad. The Telegraph. www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/18/us-prepared-syrian-rebel-group-to-help-topple-bashar-assad/.
• Bolton, J. (2017, Ekim 23). Thanks to Obama, America is two steps behind Iran in Middle East. The Hill. https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/356667-thanks-to-obama-us-is-two-steps-behind-iran-on-middle-east-strategy/.
• Cafarella, J. (2019, Temmuz 23). ISIS’s Second Comeback: Assessing the Next ISIS Insurgency. ISW. https://www.understandingwar.org/report/isiss-second-comeback-assessing-next-isis-insurgency.
• CENTCOM. (2019a, Mart 19). U.S./Coalition mission in At Tanf remains unchanged; Displaced persons at Rukban, Syria freedom of movement is unrestricted. https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/STATEMENTS/ Statements-View/Article/1789043/uscoalition-mission-in-at-tanf-remains-unchanged-displaced-persons-at-rukban-sy/
• CENTCOM. (2019b, Kasım 14). Massive $3.5 million drug-bust at At Tanf by Coalition-partnered security force. https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-ARTICLES/News-Article-View/Article/2017223/massive-35-million-drug-bust-at-at-tanf-by-coalition-partnered-security-force/.
• Christou, W. (2022, Ekim 4). Appointment of new commander in al-Rukban sparks controversy. The New Arab. https://www.newarab.com/news/appointment-new-commander-al-rukban-sparks-controversy.
• Cloud, D. S. & Abdulrahim, R. (2013, Haziran 21). U.S. has secretly provided arms training to Syria rebels since 2012. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/nation/sns-la-fg-cia-syria-20130622-story.html.
• Çoşar, A. (2024, Şubat 5). Teröristan ve Davut Koridoru. ASSAM. https://assam.org.tr/index.php/haberler/islam-dunyasi-ndan-haberler/teroristan-davut-koridoru.html.
• Enab Baladi. (2024, Ekim 28). Airstrikes target al-Tanf base in eastern Syria. https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2024/10/airstrikes-target-al-tanf-base-in-eastern-syria/.
• Entous, A., Barnes, J. E. & Gorman, S. (2013, Haziran 26). U.S. Begins Shipping Arms for Syrian Rebels. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323419604578569830070537040.
• Ersan, M. (2017, Haziran 1). Syrian rebel commander: 150 US troops at al-Tanf base. Al-Monitor. https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2017/06/syria-desert-tanf-us-backed-rebel-group.html.
• Ghaddar, H. (2016, Kasım 23). Iran May Be Using Iraq and Syria as a Bridge to Lebanon. The Washington Institute. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/iran-may-be-using-iraq-and-syria-bridge-lebanon
• Gritten, D. (2023, Eylül 5). Syria: Dozens killed in fighting between SDF and Arab tribesmen. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-66711352.
• Heller, S. (2016, Temmuz 7). Suppose America Gave a Proxy War in Syria and Nobody Came?. The Century Foundation. https://tcf.org/content/report/suppose-america-gave-proxy-war-syria-nobody-came/
• Heller, S. (2017, Eylül 8). Desert Base Is Displaced Syrians’ Last Line of Defense. The Century Foundation. https://tcf.org/content/report/desert-base-displaced-syrians-last-line-defense/.
• Kube, C. & Lee, C. L. (2018, Ekim 16). Trump administration has new plan to drive Iran out of Syria. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/trump-administration-has-new-plan-drive-iran-out-syria-n919596.
• Londoño, E. & Miller, G. (2013, Eylül 11). CIA begins weapons delivery to Syrian rebels. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/cia-begins-weapons-delivery-to-syrian-rebels/2013/09/11/9fcf2ed8-1b0c-11e3-a628-7e6dde8f889d_story.html.
• Macaron, J. (2017, Mayıs 31). A US-Iran Race to Control the Damascus-Baghdad Highway. Arab Center Washington DC. https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/a-us-iran-race-to-control-the-damascus-baghdad-highway/.
• Magruder Jr., D.L. (2020, Kasım 20). Al Tanf garrison: America’s strategic baggage in the Middle East. Brookings Institution, https://www.brookings.edu/articles/al-tanf-garrison-americas-strategic-baggage-in-the-middle-east/.
• Manaz, A. (2018, Mayıs 9). İsrail ve ABD’nin Hedefi Güney Suriye. Manaz.net. https://www.manaz.net/israil-ve-abdnin-hedefi-guney-suriye/.
• Mazzetti, M., Goldman, A. & Michael S. Schmidt, M. S. (2017, Ağustos 2). Behind the Sudden Death of a $1 Billion Secret C.I.A. War in Syria. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/02/world/ middleeast/cia-syria-rebel-arm-train-trump.html.
• MEE. (2017, Haziran 14). US rocket artillery deployed to southern Syria for first time. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-rocket-artillery-deployed-southern-syria-first-time.
• Miller, G. & DeYoung, K. (2015, Haziran 12). Secret CIA effort in Syria faces large funding cut. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/lawmakers-move-to-curb-1-billion-cia-program-to-train-syrian-rebels/2015/06/12/b0f45a9e-1114-11e5-adec-e82f8395c032_story.html.
• Musa, E. & Can, B. (2024, Haziran 23). Suicide drone attack targets US base in western Syria. Anadolu Agency. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/suicide-drone-attack-targets-us-base-in-western-syria/3256178.
• Mustafa, H. (2024, Aralık 2). Al-Tanf: The US stronghold in Syria and how it safeguards Israel. The Cradle. https://thecradle.co/articles/al-tanf-the-us-stronghold-in-syria-and-how-it-safeguards-israel.
• North Press Agency. (2022, Ekim 17). Syria’s Maghaweir al-Thowra former leader reveals reasons for his dismissal. https://npasyria.com/en/85769/.
• North Press Agency. (2024, Mart 30). Syrian Free Army ready to work with SDF against ISIS. https://npasyria.com/en/112694/.
• O’Connor, T. (2025, Ocak 3). US-Backed Syria Rebels Hope Trump Won’t Withdraw Troops Just Yet. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/us-backed-syria-rebels-hope-trump-wont-withdraw-troops-just-yet-2009029.
• Perry, T., Al-Khalidi, S. & Chmaytelli, M. (2017, Mayıs 30). Syrian rebels say U.S., allies sending more arms to fend off Iran threat. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/syrian-rebels-say-us-allies-sending-more-arms-to-fend-off-iran-threat-idUSKBN18Q1PJ/.
• Porter, L. (2025, Ocak 23). Withdrawal of US support in Syria would be ‘nightmare’ in fight against ISIS, says commander of allies. The National. https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2025/01/23/withdrawal-of-us-support-in-syria-would-be-nightmare-in-fight-against-isis-says-commander-of-allies/.
• Rolandsen, Ø. H. & Selvik, K. (2024). Disposable rebels: US military assistance toinsurgents in the Syrian war. Mediterranean Politics, 29 (4), 528–549, https://doi.org/10.1080/13629395.2023.2183664.
• Royce, E. (2017, Ekim 11). Confronting the Full Range of Iranian Threats. Committee on Foreign Affairs. https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2019/06/18/burning-bridge/#easy-footnote-bottom-30-93916.
• Rumley, G. & Schenker, D. (2021, Aralık 6). The Future of al-Tanf Garrison in Syria. The Washington Institute. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/future-al-tanf-garrison-syria
• SANA. (2018, Mayıs 28). Lavrov: Terrorist groups surface in areas where US forces are deployed in al-Tanf and al-Rukban Camp. https://sana.sy/en/?p=139033.
• SANA. (2020, Mayıs 14). Three Daesh terrorists confess to perpetrating a number of operations in cooperation with US occupation forces in al-Tanf. SANA. https://sana.sy/en/?p=191696.
• Sands, P. & Maayeh, S. (2013, Aralık 28). Syrian rebels get arms and advice through secret command centre in Amman. The National, https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/syrian-rebels-get-arms-and-advice-through-secret-command-centre-in-amman-1.455590.
• Singh, K. (2022, Ağustos 15). U.S. says a drone attack targeted its Syria base, no casualties. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-says-drone-attack-targeted-its-syria-base-no-casualties-2022-08-15/.
• SOHR. (2022a, Ekim 23). New decision-Maghaweer Al-Thawrah to change faction’s name to Free Syria army. https://www.syriahr.com/en/272970/.
• SOHR. (2022b, Kasım 23). Joint exercises-Regime forces and Iranian militias conduct exercises in vicinity of Al-Tanf base. https://www.syriahr.com/en/277397/.
• SOHR. (2022c, Aralık 10). To discuss military cooperation-Syrian Free Army meets International Coalition forces in Al-Tanf. https://www.syriahr.com/en/279664/.
• SOHR. (2024, Temmuz 22). After less than 24 hours of strikes | Drone attempts to target Al-Tanf US base in 55th kilometre zone. https://www.syriahr.com/en/336909/.
• Sommerville, Q. (2016, Ağustos 8). UK special forces pictured on the ground in Syria. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-37015915.
• Sputnik International. (2020, Temmuz 14). Militant Detained in Syria Claims He Underwent Training Supervised by US Instructors. https://sputnikglobe.com/20200714/militant-detained-in-syria-claims-he-underwent-training-supervised-by-us-instructors-1079876474.html.
• Steenkamp, C. (2024). Captagon and conflict: Drugs and war on the borderbetween Jordan and Syria. Mediterranean Politics, 1-25, https://doi.org/10.1080/13629395.2023.2297121.
• Stein, A. (2017, Haziran 12). The Trouble with Tanf: Tactics Driving Strategy in Syria. War On The Rocks. https://warontherocks.com/2017/06/the-trouble-with-tanf-tactics-driving-strategy-in-syria/.
• Szuba, J. (2020, Nisan 16). Defectors quit last US-backed rebel group in Syria, head for regime territory. The Defense Post. https://thedefensepost.com/2020/04/16/syria-rebels-defect-maghawir-al-thawra/.
• TASS. (2018, Ağustos 23). Russia records unidentified helicopters delivering weapons to Taliban, IS in Afghanistan. https://tass.com/defense/1018368
• The Syrian Observer. (2020, Mart 24). Mohannad al-Talaa: Our Mission Is to Eliminate ISIS and Take the Necessary Measures to Defend Ourselves Against the Regime. https://syrianobserver.com/foreign-actors/mohannad-al-talaa-our-mission-is-to-eliminate-isis-and-take-the-necessary-measures-to-defend-ourselves-against-the-regime.html.
• The Syrian Observer. (2022, Ekim 5). New Leader of Maghaweer al-Thawra: Interested in Representing Al-Tanf in International Conferences. https://syrianobserver.com/foreign-actors/new-leader-of-maghawir-al-thawra-interested-in-representing-al-tanf-in-international-conferences.html.
• The Syrian Observer. (2023, Eylül 20). Commander of Free Syrian Army Declares Support for Suweida Protests, Seeks ‘Radical Solution’ in Deir-ez-Zor. https://syrianobserver.com/foreign-actors/commander-of-free-syrian-army-declares-support-for-suweida-protests-seeks-radical-solution-in-deir-ez-zor.html.
• The Times of Israel. (2019, Ocak 11). Report: US to keep troops in southern Syria as bulwark against Iran. https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-us-to-leave-troops-in-southern-syria-as-bulwark-against-iran/.
• Trew, B. & Gregory, A. (2024, Nisan 14). Iran launches ‘over 200 drones, ballistic and cruise missiles’ towards Israel in first ever direct attack. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iran-attack-israel-drones-latest-b2528354.html.
• Türkiye Dışişleri Bakanlığı, (2015, Temmuz 3), Dışişleri Bakanlığı Sözcüsü Tanju Bilgiç’in Basın Bilgilendirme Toplantısı, 3 Temmuz 2015, Ankara, https://www.mfa.gov.tr/disisleri-bakanligi-sozcusu-tanju-bilgic_in-basin-bilgilendirme-toplantisi_-3-temmuz-2015_-ankara.tr.mfa.
• U.S. Department of Defense. (2017, Ağustos 23). Department of Defense Press Briefing by General Jones via teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq. https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/%201287652/ department-of-defense-press-briefing-by-general-jones-via-teleconference-from-b/.
• U.S. Department of Defense. (2018, Haziran 18). Coalition Partners Seize, Destroy ISIS Drug Cache in Southern Syria. https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/1552582/coalition-partners-seize-destroy-isis-drug-cache-in-southern-syria/.
• United Nations. (2018, Kasım 9). Humanitarian aid convoy to Syria’s Rukban camp: Mission Accomplished. https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/11/1025341.
• Weiss, C. (2017, Haziran 14). Photos show US joint patrols with rebels in southern Syria. Long War Journal. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/06/photos-show-us-joint-patrols-with-rebels-in-southern-syria.php.
• Williams, S. E. (2016, Temmuz 14). Russian air strikes kill Syrian refugees on Jordan border: Rebels. MEE. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/russian-air-strikes-kill-syrian-refugees-jordan-border-rebels.
• Wilson, S. & Warrick, J. (2011, Ağustos 18). Assad must go, Obama says. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/assad-must-go-obama-says/2011/08/18/gIQAelheOJ_story.html.
• Yaari, E. (2017, Mayıs 1). Iran’s Ambitions in the Levant: Why It’s Building Two Land Corridors to the Mediterranean. Foreign Policy. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/iran/irans-ambitions-levant.