Sources Reveal U.S. Military Plans to Establish Operations at Damascus Airbase

The United States is reportedly preparing to set up a military presence at an airbase located in Syria’s capital, Damascus, according to several individuals familiar with ongoing discussions. If confirmed, this would mark one of the most significant developments in U.S.–Syria relations in over a decade, signaling a major strategic shift following the political changes in Syria after the fall of former leader Bashar al-Assad.

According to six sources—including Western officials and a Syrian defense official—Washington’s move is closely tied to efforts to support a potential security agreement between Syria and Israel. The U.S. is believed to be playing a central role in brokering this deal, which aims to create stability along the historically volatile southern Syrian frontier.

Despite the reports, Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly denied the information, calling it “false” without providing further explanation. Still, several indicators show increasing cooperation between Damascus and Washington, suggesting a new phase in diplomatic and military engagement.

Growing Cooperation After Assad’s Fall

The political landscape in Syria underwent a dramatic transformation after the departure of Bashar al-Assad last year. The new leadership led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa has taken steps to rebuild relations with countries that previously kept their distance, including the United States.

Sources told Reuters that the potential U.S. military presence would reflect Syria’s strategic realignment away from Iran and toward Western partners. This shift, observers say, is part of a broader effort by the new Syrian government to open up political, economic, and security cooperation with Washington.

Part of a Larger US-Brokered Israel–Syria Security Pact

The airbase identified for the U.S. presence is positioned near areas expected to form part of a demilitarized zone under a possible non-aggression agreement between Syria and Israel. This deal is being actively mediated by the U.S. administration and is considered a high-priority diplomatic goal.

If finalized, the agreement would be historic — marking the first time Syria and Israel engage in a U.S.-mediated security pact after decades of hostility.

Western officials involved in the discussions noted that the airbase would help U.S. military personnel monitor and support the implementation of the agreement, especially in terms of surveillance, logistics, and verification mechanisms required for maintaining peace between the two countries.

Trump to Meet Syrian President at the White House

Adding to the significance of the developing story, U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to welcome Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to the White House. This would be the first such high-level visit by a Syrian head of state. Analysts believe the visit will be used to confirm a series of security and political arrangements that have been in discussion for months.

A U.S. official, speaking on background, said that Washington constantly evaluates its military posture in the region to effectively counter ISIS, while declining to comment on specific locations of American forces. The official also requested that the exact location of the airbase remain confidential for operational security reasons.

Reconnaissance Missions Confirm Airbase Readiness

According to a Western military official, the Pentagon has accelerated its plans over the past two months. Multiple reconnaissance missions were conducted at the site, and the base’s long runway has reportedly been assessed as ready for immediate operational use.

Syrian military officials say technical meetings between U.S. and Syrian teams have focused on how the base might be used for:

Logistics operations

Surveillance and monitoring

Aircraft refueling

Humanitarian missions

However, Syria insists it would maintain full sovereignty over the facility, even if U.S. forces are present.

A security guard stationed at one of the airbase entrances reportedly confirmed that American aircraft, including C-130 transport planes, have been landing at the site for runway tests.

At present, it remains unclear when U.S. troops might officially be deployed to the location.

Mirroring Other U.S. Monitoring Missions in the Region

The planned U.S. presence in Damascus appears similar to recently established American monitoring posts in:

Lebanon, where U.S. officials supervise the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah

Israel, where the U.S. monitors an earlier truce between Hamas and Israeli forces

These deployments all serve to oversee various cessation-of-hostilities agreements and ensure compliance among the involved parties.

The United States also continues to maintain troops in northeastern Syria, supporting Kurdish-led forces in efforts against ISIS. The Pentagon recently announced that it intends to reduce troop levels there to around 1,000.

U.S.–Syria Coordination Expands

President Sharaa has previously stated that any U.S. military presence in Syria must be coordinated with the new government—an indication that Washington and Damascus are actively negotiating terms for cooperation.

Syria is also expected to join the U.S.-led global coalition against ISIS, a milestone that would have been unthinkable before the political transition.

Sources say the airbase discussions also took place during a visit by Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), to Damascus in September. In formal statements, CENTCOM acknowledged the meeting, thanking Syria for contributing to the fight against ISIS, but did not mention the Israel–Syria negotiations.

Pressure to Finalize an Israel–Syria Deal

Washington has been working for months to finalize the emerging security agreement between Syria and Israel. Although progress has been made, negotiations previously stalled due to disagreements over a proposed humanitarian corridor.

U.S. officials reportedly want the deal confirmed before the end of the year — and possibly before President Sharaa’s upcoming visit to Washington.

If the agreement goes through, it could reshape regional alliances and significantly reduce tensions along one of the Middle East’s most sensitive borders.

Conclusion

The possibility of a U.S. military presence at a Damascus airbase represents a major turning point in Middle Eastern geopolitics. While Syrian officials publicly deny the reports, multiple international and local sources indicate that preparations are underway.

As Washington continues to broker a security pact between Syria and Israel, the role of this airbase — whether logistical, humanitarian, or strategic — may become central to ensuring long-term stability in the region.

More updates are expected as President Sharaa prepares for his historic visit to the White House.