“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.
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.
On 1 July, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Azerbaijan on a working visit....
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway this week in a landmark tour of the Nordic region that reflects Beiji...
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said. ...
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both...
German prosecutors have arrested a German-Rwandan national on suspicion of aiding genocide and 25 counts of murder during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, a...
On 1 July, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Azerbaijan on a working visit.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway this week in a landmark tour of the Nordic region that reflects Beijing's efforts to strengthen ties with Europe at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
German prosecutors have arrested a German-Rwandan national on suspicion of aiding genocide and 25 counts of murder during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, authorities said on Wednesday (1 July).
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both sides tested the interim ceasefire to end the four-month-old war.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
The U.S. and Iran have agreed to 'stand down' and resume technical talks, allowing vessels allowed to move freely under the interim peace deal, a U.S. official said.
The wife and children of Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo were among around 1,700 people who died when two earthquakes struck northern Venezuela last week.
Mexico ended their 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout win, while Erling Haaland sent Norway through and Kylian Mbappé fired France into the last 16.
On 1 July, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Azerbaijan on a working visit.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that unexploded ordnance remains a deadly threat across Afghanistan, with children accounting for around 80% of victims and about 50 people being killed or injured each month.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has confirmed neighbouring Iraq will hold a funeral procession next week for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, as preparations intensify for week-long ceremonies after the 86-year-old was killed in Israeli–U.S. air raids in February.
CSTO Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov has inspected security along the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border as the regional bloc continues a long-term programme to strengthen one of Central Asia's most strategically important frontiers.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment