Russian Forces Evacuate Tartus Naval Base and Khmeimim Air Base Amid Rebel Drone Attacks

Dec 7, 2024, 05:48 PM

The Russian military has initiated a significant withdrawal from its bases in Syria, prompted by fears of rebel drone attacks on ships moored at the Tartus naval base. The Russian Navy has ordered all remaining vessels to depart immediately from Tartus, with reports confirming that the final ships are now leaving the port. Concurrently, satellite imagery and reports indicate that Russian forces are also evacuating from the Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia, with multiple transport aircraft, including three IL-76s and one AN-124, arriving to facilitate the evacuation of personnel and equipment in response to the rapid progress of a rebel offensive in the region, suggesting a strategic retreat by Russian forces from their key eastern Mediterranean holdings.