The U.S. House Armed Services Committee has approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2027 by a vote of 44 to 12, adopting a series of amendments introduced by Representative Joe Wilson. The measures mark a significant shift in Washington’s approach to Syria, moving from economic pressure toward direct security engagement and what analysts describe as “defense engineering.”
The first amendment centers on Russia’s military presence in Syria, particularly the naval and air bases in Tartus and Hmeimeem. It requires the Pentagon to submit a report by December 31, 2026, outlining potential avenues for cooperation with the new Syrian government to reduce Russian influence or pursue a complete withdrawal from both facilities. The report must also assess the threat these bases pose to US forces stationed in Turkey and examine whether they serve as logistical hubs for arming Iranian-aligned militias or for recruiting fighters from Syria and Africa to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. The amendment comes in the wake of satellite imagery showing the Russian cargo ship Sparta delivering supplies to Hmeimeem via Tartus in May 2026—the first documented replenishment since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, signaling Moscow’s determination to preserve its Mediterranean foothold.
A second amendment addresses the future structure of the Syrian state by supporting the integration of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) units into the official Syrian Armed Forces. It envisions incorporating formations up to brigade level and opening pathways for SDF personnel to assume leadership roles within the Ministry of Defense, with the stated aim of protecting ethnic and religious minorities. By January 31, 2027, the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy must evaluate the feasibility of using US security cooperation programs to retrain the Syrian military, with an emphasis on the laws of war, human rights, and civilian oversight.
Analyst Younis al-Karim argues that these amendments reflect a broader transformation in US policy. The shift follows the Senate’s December 2025 decision to repeal the Caesar sanctions within the FY2026 defense budget, signaling that Washington now prefers to shape Syria’s future through defense structures rather than economic restrictions alone. Al-Karim warns that the new Syrian government must actively communicate its priorities to Congress to avoid having its military architecture defined unilaterally from abroad.
Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community, remains a central figure in local political tensions, while the SDF continues to represent the most significant US-backed military actor in the country. Representative Joe Wilson, known for his Syria-related legislation, has positioned these amendments as a blueprint for reshaping the country’s security landscape in the post-Assad era.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
