Russia is reducing its presence in Syria but not fully withdrawing, according to sources

Russia is withdrawing its military presence from the front lines in northern Syria and from positions in the Alawite Mountains, but it will maintain its two primary bases in the country following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, according to four Syrian officials who spoke to Reuters.

The removal of Assad, who, along with his late father, former President Hafez al-Assad, established a strong partnership with Moscow, raises uncertainties regarding the future of Russia’s installations—the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia and the Tartous naval facility.

Recent satellite imagery captured on Friday revealed at least two Antonov AN-124 cargo planes, among the largest in the world, at the Hmeimim base, with their nose cones open, seemingly preparing for loading operations. A Syrian security official stationed near the facility reported that at least one cargo plane departed for Libya on Saturday.

Syrian military and security sources in communication with Russian officials informed Reuters that Moscow is indeed pulling back its forces from the front lines and removing some heavy equipment along with senior Syrian officers.

However, these sources, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation, emphasized that Russia is not withdrawing from its two main bases and currently has no plans to do so. While some equipment and high-ranking officers from Assad’s military are being sent back to Moscow, the primary objective at this time is to regroup and redeploy in response to the evolving situation on the ground, as stated by a senior Syrian army officer in contact with the Russian military.

A senior rebel official affiliated with the new interim administration informed Reuters that the topics of the Russian military’s presence in Syria and previous agreements between the Assad regime and Moscow are not currently being addressed. “These matters will be discussed in the future, and ultimately, it will be the Syrian people who decide,” the official stated, noting that Moscow has established communication channels. “Our forces are now also positioned near the Russian bases in Latakia,” he added, without providing further details.

Russia is not planning to withdraw from its bases

The Kremlin has indicated that Russia is in talks with Syria’s new leadership regarding the military bases. However, Russia’s defense ministry did not respond to a request for comment on the Reuters report. A Russian source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that discussions with the new Syrian authorities are ongoing and that Russia is not planning to withdraw from its bases. how Syrian rebel leader Ahmad a

Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose intervention in the Syrian civil war in 2015 bolstered Assad’s position amid calls for his removal from the West, granted Assad asylum in Russia after assisting his escape on Sunday.

Moscow has supported Syria since the early days of the Cold War, recognizing its independence in 1944 as Damascus sought to end French colonial rule. The West has historically viewed Syria as a Soviet satellite. The military bases in Syria play a crucial role in Russia’s global military strategy: the Tartous naval base serves as Russia’s sole Mediterranean repair and resupply facility, while Hmeimim acts as a significant hub for military and mercenary operations in Africa.

Russia maintains eavesdropping stations in Syria, operating in conjunction with Syrian signal facilities, as reported by both Syrian military and Western intelligence sources. The Tartous facility, established in 1971, was granted a 49-year lease at no cost to Russia in 2017 following its intervention in the Syrian civil war to support President Assad.

Yoruk Isik, a geopolitical analyst from Istanbul and head of the Bosphorus Observer, suggested that Russia may be utilizing cargo planes departing from Syria, routing them through the Caucasus before arriving at the Al Khadim airbase in Libya.

A Reuters journalist observed a Russian convoy consisting of infantry fighting vehicles and logistical support vehicles traveling along the highway that connects the Hmeimim airbase to the Tartous base. The convoy was temporarily halted due to a malfunction in one of the vehicles, with soldiers present attempting repairs.

Ali Halloum, a resident of Jablah originally from Latakia, expressed to Reuters a strong desire to avoid any foreign intervention, stating, “Whether it’s Russian, Iranian or the previous government who was oppressing us and denying us our rights … we don’t want any intervention from Russia, Iran or any other foreign intervention.”

At the Hmeimim base, Reuters reported seeing Russian soldiers moving about as usual, with jets stationed in the hangars. Satellite images captured on December 9 by Planet Labs revealed at least three vessels from Russia’s Mediterranean fleet, including two guided missile frigates and an oiler, anchored approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles) northwest of Tartous.