The future of the Russian military presence in Syria
Questions persist about the future of the Russian military presence in Syria, particularly after recent political changes and the fall of the Assad regime, amid growing talk of redeploying Russian forces and reducing their military influence within the country.
Attention is focused on the fate of key Russian bases, most notably the Hmeimim and Tartus bases, as well as the status of the advanced air defense and missile systems that Moscow deployed in Syria under previous military cooperation agreements.
Military sources in the Syrian Ministry of Defense revealed that Russia withdrew its S400 and S300 air defense systems, along with Bastion missile systems, following the fall of the previous regime.
According to the sources, these systems were stationed at the Hmeimim airbase in western Syria before being dismantled and transported out of the country.
This move reflects the decline of the Russian military presence, which is now limited to the Tartus naval base and the Hmeimim airbase.
The sources explained that the S400 system was intended solely for the protection of Russian bases and wasn’t part of the previous regime’s arsenal.
They also indicated that the new Syrian administration requested Moscow to vacate the only berth used by Russia in the port of Tartus, leading to a cessation of Russian activity at the port since then.
The Hmeimim airbase has become almost entirely inoperative, given the absence of Russian air traffic to and from the base in recent times.
Regarding ballistic missiles, the sources reported that Russia withdrew these missiles from the 55th Brigade.
The operation, which took place just two days before the regime’s fall, suggests that it was carried out as part of prior understandings with the military authorities then in control.
Sources also revealed ongoing discussions between Damascus and Moscow to transform the Tartus and Hmeimim bases into logistical hubs dedicated to supporting Russian naval supply operations in the Black and Mediterranean Seas, in addition to their use in joint military training programs between the two sides.
