‘Come and take it’: Here’s what US troops left behind at abandoned base in Syria (PHOTOS)

Photos from the abandoned US military base in Manbij shed light on what American soldiers did to pass the time during their uninvited stay.

The photographic evidence suggests that at least one soldier enjoyed reading Harry Potter. For added diversity, the discarded literature also included a Tom Clancy paperback and a Bible.

For reading-adverse troops, there were also plenty of video games. At least one devoted soldier-gamer had even brought along a map of the fictional city from Grand Theft Auto.

There were also stacks of DVDs and, in a display of true American-ness, a fridge full of Coca-Cola. Scavengers also found basketballs and footballs at the site.

An RT crew that filmed inside the deserted base last week found furniture, personal belongings and even an unfinished meals.

Also on rt.com Left in a hurry: RT films inside abandoned US military base at Manbij, Syria (VIDEOS, PHOTOS)

While rushing out the door, the soldiers also apparently forgot to bring their ‘come and take it’ flag, so Russian media came and took pictures with it. Originating from the ancient Greek term ‘molon labe,’ the flag is a symbol of US military defiance, and, in this case, of stinging irony.

They also left behind a rather indecorous greeting to Russia, perhaps to offset the bitterness for the abandoned flag.

The troops pulled out of the base, located southwest of the northern city of Manbij, last Tuesday. The retreat followed the decision by the US President Donald Trump to withdraw American personnel prior to the Turkish operation against Kurdish-led militias. US forces have since crossed into western Iraq, where they may or may not finish reading all the Harry Potter books.

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