Damascus: After the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government, the security of Russia’s air and naval bases in Syria is under threat. Russia has currently withdrawn its forces but it is not clear whether it will leave these important bases permanently or try to return. Syria’s Latakia and Tartus regions are now controlled by rebels, where Russia’s Khmeimim air base and Tartus naval base are located. It is believed that Russia may be forced to compromise with the rebels, whom it has been fighting for the last decade in support of Bashar al-Assad. The War Zone in its report quoted Russian state media. It is claimed that the rebels have not infiltrated Russian military bases after taking control of Latakia province, Tartus and Jableh. The rebels have shown no signs of harming Russian military bases and are continuing to do so. At the same time, satellite photos of Khmeimim Air Base show that soldiers are being evacuated. MiG-31 Foxhound aircraft have been evacuated from Khmeimim but other aircraft remain there. Such pictures and video footage have emerged in which the Russian army is seen moving south from Khmeimim and northern bases. Russia is evacuating the base! Russia has removed its Tochka-U ballistic missile system from the Turkey-Syria border. The range of this missile is 120 km and it can carry many types of weapons. Russia has also removed S-400 long-range SAM batteries from Khmeimim Air Base. Russian naval ships have left Tartus and gone out to sea but satellite images show that they are not completely gone, some still remain. It is very important for Russia to maintain access to the Khmeimim and Tartus bases. Apart from the operations in Syria, these bases are also strategically important. Russia has invested considerable resources in developing these bases into strategic hubs for regional air and naval operations and major logistics hubs for Africa. Tartus is the location that provides the Russian Navy’s only port with direct access to the Mediterranean. Why is Russia in trouble? The situation is complicated for Russia because it supported Assad in 2015 and is trying to keep him in power. Fought for. Russia was accused of indiscriminately attacking civilians. Russia also protected the Assad regime from international punishment, including for the use of chemical weapons. Till last week, Russian fighter planes were flying against anti-Assad forces. The Russian government has given shelter to Bashar al-Assad. Russia has declared HTS a terrorist group, which is now in control of Syria. In such a situation, any talks with the new government will not be easy for Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that everything possible is being done for security. There are reports that Russia has signed an agreement with various regional powers regarding the political transition in Syria. As has maintained access to Khmeimim and Tartus for some time. Russia can also talk to HTS by taking a sip of poison. However, it is too early to say anything and the future of Russia’s valuable bases in Syria is currently in limbo.
