Syria says its forces have taken over al-Tanf base after a handover from the US

Syrian government forces have taken over the al-Tanf base in eastern Syria, a site the U.S. military has run for years. Syria’s Defense Ministry says the handover happened in coordination with U.S. troops. It says Syrian forces are now securing the base and its perimeter. The U.S. military did not immediately respond to an AP request for comment. Syria says it has moved troops into the surrounding desert. It says border guards will deploy in coming days. The shift follows a deal with the Kurdish-led Strategic Defense Forces. The base once played a key role against the Islamic State group.