Russia halts Alawite asylum and prepares to hand over Hmeimim Airport to the Syrian government
Sources says that Russia’s Hmeimim airbase in Lattakia coast, that the last plane took off two days ago from the civilian airport, carrying Alawite refugees and members of the former Syrian army, bound for Russia.
This comes as a final step toward ending the asylum issue, as Moscow opened last March, following the massacres on the Syrian coast that prompted thousands to head to the base.
Dozens of civilians’ asylum applications were rejected, even though some had spent months at the airport.
Authorities at Hmeimim informed them that they couldn’t be transferred and demanded that they return to their hometowns, promising them shelter and support.
Sources indicated that the political validity of Syrian asylum in Russia is now being sold by groups of Russian officers, Syrian security, and local brokers.
On the last flight, only those who bought the opportunity to travel were allowed to join the regime forces, while thousands of ordinary civilians were left out.
Refugees inside Hmeimim aren’t only suffering from the financial blockade; some also report food rationing and a lack of healthcare for those in need.
About 30 families have expressed their refusal to leave, but have found no choice but to return despite the pressure.
In another context, sources in the Russian capital, Moscow, said that Russia is considering to hand over Hmeimim civilian airport to the Syrian government, and focus on its naval base in Tartus instead.
In this regard, Russia plans to hand over the civilian airport to the Syrian government, while negotiations are underway between Russian and Syrian authorities to restore its operation and management by the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority.
The new Syrian government has transferred most of the airport’s employees to Aleppo and Damascus, but a full return is very close, according to sources.
In this context, Moscow has shown signs of strengthening its relations with the new Syrian government.
Recently, the Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani received an official invitation to visit Moscow, and the Syrian transitional President Ahmed al Sharaa has been invited to participate in the Arab-Russian summit scheduled for next October.
Russian authorities also pointed to Moscow’s role as a mediator in reducing tensions between Syria and Israel, through talks with Israel following the recent ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Tehran.
