Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The US vetoed a UNSC resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, arguing it does not condemn Hamas nor grant "Israel" the right to “self-defense.”
Israeli occupation forces issue a new bombing threat against civilian buildings in the Southern Lebanese towns of Borj Qalaouiye and Chehabiyeh.
Sources to Al Mayadeen: Extending the snapback mechanism deadline will test how independent Europeans truly are from the US.
Sources to Al Mayadeen: Activating the snapback mechanism will nullify the Cairo Agreement, shut the door on cooperation between the IAEA and Tehran, and bar inspections.
Sources to Al Mayadeen: The diplomatic window remains open, but signs of activating the snapback sanctions mechanism on Iran are increasing.
Sources to Al Mayadeen: Although the Cairo Agreement meets an important part of European demands, they have begun speaking of new conditions in recent communications.
Sources to Al Mayadeen: European countries show no independence in their stance toward Iran during the talks.
Israeli occupation forces issued bombing threats to bomb civilian buildings in Southern Lebanon.
Israeli media: Person behind shooting operation at Allenby Crossing is a Jordanian Army soldier.
Israeli media citing Emergency Services: Both wounded in Allenby shooting operation now dead.

No decision yet on future of Russia's military bases in Syria: Kremlin

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 16 Dec 2024 13:44
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

The Kremlin announced that no final decisions have been made about Russia's military bases in Syria and that it is in contact with the country's authorities.

Listen
  • x
  • In this photo taken from Russian Defense Ministry official website on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015, a Russian SU-34 bomber lands at an airbase Hmeimim in Syria. (AP)
    In this photo taken from the Russian Defense Ministry's official website on October 6, 2015, a Russian SU-34 bomber lands at an airbase Hmeimim in Syria. (AP)

On Monday, the Kremlin stated that no final decisions have been made regarding the future of Russia's military bases in Syria and that it is in communication with the newly in-control authorities in Damascus.
 
Reuters reported on Sunday, citing four Syrian officials, that Russia is reducing its military presence on the front lines in northern Syria and from positions in the Alawite Mountains but is maintaining its two primary bases in the country following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.

The removal of al-Assad, who, along with his late father, former President Hafez al-Assad, fostered a strong alliance with Moscow, has raised questions about the future of Russia's strategic bases: the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia and the Tartus naval facility.

Satellite imagery from Friday revealed at least two Antonov AN-124 cargo planes, among the largest in the world, at the Hmeimim airbase, with their nose cones open, seemingly being prepared for loading, the news agency highlighted.

It cited a Syrian security official stationed near the base as saying that at least one cargo plane departed for Libya on Saturday.

Syrian military and security sources in contact with Russian counterparts informed Reuters that Moscow is withdrawing forces from forward positions and removing certain heavy equipment and senior Syrian officers.

Related News

United Nations: 70% of Syrian residents in need of humanitarian aid

US removes Syria envoys as Kurds face pressure to join Damascus

However, these sources, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, emphasized that Russia is not abandoning its two principal bases and has no immediate plans to do so.

Russia evacuates some diplomatic personnel from Syria

Meanwhile, Russia has evacuated part of its diplomatic missions from Syria, along with diplomats from Belarus, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and Abkhazia, as confirmed by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Sunday.

According to the ministry’s Crisis Management Center, "On December 15, a special flight of the Russian Defense Ministry's Aerospace Forces airlifted part of the Russian diplomatic missions in Damascus from the Hmeimim airbase to the Chkalovsky airport in Moscow."

The evacuation also included the personnel of the diplomatic missions of Belarus, DPRK, and Abkhazia.

Despite the evacuation, the Russian embassy in Damascus continues to operate as normal, the statement added.

Earlier: Kremlin comments on Assad’s withdrawal, Russia’s ME policy

  • Kremlin
  • Russia
  • Vladimir Putin
  • Syria
  • Hmeimim Airbase
  • Tartus port

Most Read

Why is Choose Love using a firm with British and US intelligence connections to run a pro-Palestine musical event? (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Together for Palestine: Troubling questions about the organisers of this huge event

  • Opinion
  • 17 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

12 Israeli soldiers killed, wounded in Resistance operation in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 18 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A Hezbollah supporter who lost his sight in a pager attack carried out by "Israel" on Sept. 17, 2024, covers his eyes with a red headband inscribed with the name "Hussein" during Ashoura, July 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'We Have Recovered': Lebanon marks 1st anniversary of Pager Attack

The Arab neighborhood of El Za'im, on the outskirts of east Occupied Al-Quds in the West Bank, near where Israeli government says housing units will be built as part of the E1 settlement project, Thursday, August 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Palestine

'Israel’s' deliberate policies drive West Bank economy toward collapse

Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Politics

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder resigns over parent company curbing activism

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll
US & Canada

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS