Russia’s withdrawal from Qamishli air base reflects 'coordination with new Syrian authorities'

“The decision is made that the Qamishli air base is not needed anymore,” political analyst Dmitry Bridzhe said, as Russia begins withdrawing forces from its facility in northeastern Syria amid shifts in the country’s political and security landscape.

Russian forces have started pulling out personnel, equipment and heavy weapons from the Qamishli facility near the Turkish border, with shipments moving to the Khmeimim air base on Syria’s Mediterranean coast, media reported on 26 January, citing multiple Syrian sources.

The withdrawal could signal an end to Russia’s presence at the northeastern base, where troops had been stationed since 2019.

“Russia’s two other bases in Syria, at Tartus and Khmeimim, are sufficient for coordination with the Syrian government,” Bridzhe told AnewZ.

His comments align with recent reports that the Qamishli facility, long used to monitor northeastern Syria and support logistics, has seen equipment and personnel moved westward as the Syrian government advances control over former Kurdish‑led areas.

Bridzhe noted that Russia’s initial deployment to Syria in 2015 was predicated on an agreement with former president Bashar al‑Assad to support operations against terrorist groups such as ISIS.

However, that framework has evolved amid political changes in late 2024, when Assad was ousted after an opposition offensive. He fled to Moscow and has been in Russia since, where he was granted asylum, according to Russian state media and independent reporting.

“In the past, Russia had an agreement with the Assad regime to cooperate and fight against terrorism,” Bridzhe said.

“Now there is no need for that,” he added, noting that Moscow appears to be coordinating anew with the current Syrian leadership on basing arrangements and related agreements.

Analysts say Moscow may have relinquished its outpost in Kurdish-held territory to maintain a continued presence along Syria’s government-controlled coast, where both Russia’s Khmeimim Air Base near Latakia and the naval facility at Tartus remain operational.

Bridzhe suggested that future agreements may include updated coordination mechanisms and greater transparency with the Syrian government.

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In a related development, Russian President Vladimir Putin met Syrian President Ahmed al‑Sharaa in Moscow on 28 January to discuss bilateral relations, Syria’s territorial integrity, and ongoing military cooperation between the two countries.

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