The US Army is preparing to establish a military base in Damascus countryside

A Syrian military source revealed intense US activity in the Damascus countryside, specifically around the Dumayr airbase, one of the country’s most important military facilities.

The source stated that Washington intends to transform the airport into a main base for its forces in Syria, as part of a plan to redistribute its bases and reduce their deployment, focusing on fortified and strategic locations.

According to the information, a group of US Air Force engineers from the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade arrived at the airport on March 30, 2025, accompanied by elements from the 1st Combat Brigade and the 10th Mountain Division.

The mission was to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the airport’s infrastructure, with the aim of rehabilitating and developing it.

The US Air Force engineers were accompanied by local formations from the International Coalition-backed Free Syrian Army, led by Captain Ala’a Abu Mahmoud, along with forces from the Syria Democratic Forces’ “al Sanadid” militia, under the supervision of commander Hassan Ali al Ahmad.

These groups began sweeping operations to secure the airport’s perimeter and remove mines, ensuring readiness to receive advanced US equipment, most notably MQ-1C Gray Eagle drones.

The establishment of the base isn’t limited to supporting anti-ISIS operations in the Syrian desert, but rather falls within a broader vision to redraw the map of military influence in eastern Damascus.

This US presence is expected to strengthen the role of the Free Syrian Army and provide US and British air cover in the region.

Amid these developments, the source noted that in February 2025, Türkiye sent a military delegation to al Dumayr Airport to study the possibility of establishing a Turkish air base, including additional runways and expansions to accommodate F-16 fighters.

However, this project faced strong rejection from Israel, according to the source, prompting Ankara to reconsider its calculations.

In a move that reflects the seriousness of the US plan, combat groups from the 4th Infantry Division and the 10th Mountain Division arrived at the al Tanf base in March 2025 to conduct joint training with the Free Syrian Army.

These training exercises included daytime and nighttime airdrops, in preparation for the subsequent transfer of these units to al Dumayr airbase.

The source spoke of a broader strategic dimension to US and Israeli actions in the region, pointing to a project called “David’s Corridor,” through which Israel seeks to establish a military corridor extending from southern Syria to the east, passing through Kurdish areas, with the goal of securing direct geographic connectivity with the Iraqi border.

The corridor’s likely goal is to besiege southern Lebanon and secure advanced Israeli influence deep within Syrian territory.

Another key objective of the US move, according to the source, is to monitor the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons activities, especially given the presence of more than 100 sites suspected of containing such weapons.

The competition between Türkiye and Russia for military influence in the region makes the situation even more complex, with Moscow closely monitoring any US or Turkish move that could upset the existing balance.

The source concluded by warning of the repercussions of Damascus’ continued disregard for foreign actions, arguing that this silence could encourage further chaos and give foreign factions greater scope to consolidate their influence, opening the door to external escalation and heightened tensions in the region.