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BumRushDaShow

(144,187 posts) Sat Dec 14, 2024, 11:13 AM Dec 14

Exclusive-Russia pulling back but not out of Syria, sources say

Source: Aol/Reuters

December 14, 2024 at 9:33 AM

TARTOUS, Syria (Reuters) - Russia is pulling back its military from the front lines in northern Syria and from posts in the Alawite Mountains but is not leaving its two main bases in the country after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, four Syrian officials told Reuters.

The ousting of Assad, who along with his late father, former President Hafez al-Assad, had forged a close alliance with Moscow, has thrown the future of Russia's bases - the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia and the Tartous naval facility - into question.

Satellite footage from Friday shows what appeared to be at least two Antonov AN-124s, among the world's largest cargo planes, at the Hmeimim base with their nose cones open, apparently preparing to load up. At least one cargo plane flew out on Saturday for Libya, a Syrian security official stationed outside the facility said.

Syrian military and security sources in contact with the Russians told Reuters that Moscow was pulling back its forces from the front lines and withdrawing some heavy equipment and senior Syrian officers.

Read more: https://www.aol.com/news/exclusive-russia-pulling-back-not-143319511.html

6 replies

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Exclusive-Russia pulling back but not out of Syria, sources say (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Dec 14 OP

The U.S. had 3 military bases in northern Syria. louis-t Dec 14 #1

I think Russia being forced to go full throttle with their limited resources in their Ukraine offensive BumRushDaShow Dec 14 #2

Considering the fact that these bases were used to launch attacks on the new leaders of the country, I doubt Martin68 Dec 14 #3

I still think it's a possibility angrychair Dec 14 #4

Russia is overstretched dealing with Ukraine BumRushDaShow Dec 14 #5

Russian Navy is heavily dependent on Tartus IronLionZion Dec 14 #6

louis-t

(23,777 posts)

1. The U.S. had 3 military bases in northern Syria.

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Sat Dec 14, 2024, 12:04 PM

Dec 14

Last edited Sat Dec 14, 2024, 03:47 PM - Edit history (1)

All are now in Russian hands, thanks to the orange menace. When Putin's buddy Erdogan wanted the Kurds out of Northern Syria at the end of 2019, Herr drumpf was only too happy to remove our troops from the region so Turkish troops could force the Kurds from their homeland. Putin took over those abandoned bases within a month. The bases were near Raqqah, Qamishli, and Tabqa.

BumRushDaShow

(144,187 posts)

2. I think Russia being forced to go full throttle with their limited resources in their Ukraine offensive

Reply to louis-t (Reply #1)

Sat Dec 14, 2024, 12:49 PM

Dec 14

(with Iran's help, which they direly needed), meant that either country's ability to fully support their proxies was diminished, and that left Syria and Assad ripe for an overthrow.

Martin68

(24,726 posts)

3. Considering the fact that these bases were used to launch attacks on the new leaders of the country, I doubt

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Sat Dec 14, 2024, 01:20 PM

Dec 14

they will be in Russian hands for much longer. They've already moved all their ships several miles offshore from their naval base.

angrychair

(9,887 posts)

4. I still think it's a possibility

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Sat Dec 14, 2024, 02:57 PM

Dec 14

That Russia launches a counter attack to put Assad back in power.
They can just launch attacks from offshore as the militants don't have the numbers or equipment to counter a large offensive. They are a rebel force, not a state sponsored army.
I think Syria was key link in Russian revenue from illegal drug sales.

BumRushDaShow

(144,187 posts)

5. Russia is overstretched dealing with Ukraine

Reply to angrychair (Reply #4)

Sat Dec 14, 2024, 03:16 PM

Dec 14

There is plenty of "drug trade" closer to them - (under the table) in Afghanistan.

IronLionZion

(47,116 posts)

6. Russian Navy is heavily dependent on Tartus

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Sat Dec 14, 2024, 06:46 PM

Dec 14

and isn't too involved in the Ukraine war. If the orange menace wasn't a Russian asset, it would benefit the US to encourage the rebels in taking both those Russian bases.

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