Shaky Ground: Inside The Russian Military Bases In Syria
Photographs taken during the rule of Syria's deposed president, Bashar al-Assad, show life inside Russia's air and naval facilities in the Middle Eastern country.
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A memorial event for Russian pilot Roman Filipov at the Hmeimim air base near Latakia, Syria, in February 2023.
Satellite images made on December 13 show Russia appears to be withdrawing equipment from the Hmeimim base after the recent toppling of its ally, President Bashar al-Assad.
Satellite images made on December 13 show Russia appears to be withdrawing equipment from the Hmeimim base after the recent toppling of its ally, President Bashar al-Assad.
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A satellite view of Russia’s naval facility in Tartus, on Syria’s Mediterranean coast on December 13, 2024.
The Kremlin has reportedly been in talks with militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), now the de facto government in Syria, over the future of Russia’s Syrian bases.
The Kremlin has reportedly been in talks with militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), now the de facto government in Syria, over the future of Russia’s Syrian bases.
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A Russian cafeteria worker prepares tables at the Hmeimim base in October 2015.
Robert E. Hamilton, the head of Eurasia research at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, told RFE/RL Syria's new rulers may be reluctant to tolerate bases from which the Kremlin "launched years of attacks on HTS, other opposition groups, and on Syrian civilians," throughout the country’s civil war.
Robert E. Hamilton, the head of Eurasia research at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, told RFE/RL Syria's new rulers may be reluctant to tolerate bases from which the Kremlin "launched years of attacks on HTS, other opposition groups, and on Syrian civilians," throughout the country’s civil war.
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A Russian military policeman patrols the Hmeimim air base in March 2016.
Hamilton says it remains to be seen whether talks between Russia and HTS, "are about ensuring an orderly withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria, or about ensuring Russia can maintain its bases there."
Hamilton says it remains to be seen whether talks between Russia and HTS, "are about ensuring an orderly withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria, or about ensuring Russia can maintain its bases there."
