A convoy of Russian military vehicles was spotted heading towards the Syrian city of Tartous on Monday, accompanied by soldiers standing guard. Meanwhile, planes were observed taking off and landing at Russia's Hmeimim air base in Latakia, with smoke rising from the base, although the source of the smoke remained unclear.
In the town of Hmeimim, which features numerous shops with signs in Russian, reflecting the significant Russian military presence in the area, questions have arisen regarding the future of this presence following the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Russia's intervention in support of Assad during the Syrian civil war played a pivotal role in shifting the conflict. In 2017, a deal was struck between Assad's government and Russia, granting Russia a 49-year free lease of both the Hmeimim air base and the Tartous naval base.
Recent developments, including an offensive by opposition forces in northwest Syria that posed a threat to Assad's rule, have raised uncertainties about the longevity of Russia's presence. Despite granting asylum to Assad and his family, Russia largely refrained from direct involvement in the recent conflict.
Assad, in his first public statement since his ouster, revealed that he had sought refuge at the Hmeimim air base after insurgents attacked Damascus. Following a drone attack on the base, Russian forces decided to evacuate Assad to Russia.
Despite the absence of clashes between Russian troops and former insurgents who now serve as de facto security forces in Syria, signs of potential Russian withdrawal have emerged. Reports indicate Russian forces pulling out of certain areas, with military vehicles seen retreating towards Latakia.
Efforts to secure Russian interests in Syria have been evident, with Moscow engaging with new Syrian authorities to ensure the safety of its bases. Discussions are ongoing regarding the future of Russian forces in Syria, with calls for a reconsideration of their presence by the new transitional government.
While the situation remains fluid, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized ongoing dialogue with the new authorities to determine the course of action regarding Russian forces in Syria.
