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
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

US, Western officials say Russia initiated withdrawal from Syria

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 16 Dec 2024 23:41
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Western officials have told CNN that Russia has begun withdrawing its forces from Syria after the new regime forces took power in the country.

Listen
  • x
  • A Russian helicopter flies over the Hmeimim Air Base, a Syrian airbase currently operated by Russia, located southeast of the city of Latakia in the town of Hmeimim, Syria, on Monday, December 16, 2024 (AP)
    A Russian helicopter flies over the Hmeimim Air Base, a Syrian airbase currently operated by Russia, located southeast of the city of Latakia in the town of Hmeimim, Syria, on Monday, December 16, 2024. (AP)

Russia has initiated a significant withdrawal of troops and military equipment from Syria following the removal of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, US and Western intelligence sources told CNN. The withdrawal, described as large-scale, began last week, though the sources are uncertain whether it is permanent.

The move coincides with reports that Russian officials are exploring negotiations with Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which leads the new regime forces, to retain access to key military facilities, including the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia and the Tartus naval port, both critical for Russia's regional military presence.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov revealed on Thursday that the contacts with HTS were "constructive." He stated that Moscow's aim was to ensure that HTS fulfills its commitments to maintain order, prevent any "excesses," and guarantee the safety of diplomats and foreign nationals.

The deputy foreign minister also underscored Russia's determination to retain its military presence in Syria. The Tartus naval base and the Hmeimim Air Base, near Latakia, remain pivotal to Moscow's efforts against international terrorism, he said.

"The bases are still there, at the request of the Syrians, with the aim of combating terrorists from the Islamic State. No other decisions have been made at this time," Bogdanov noted.

Related News

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

Damascus accuses Sweida factions of breaking ceasefire, sowing 'chaos'

Pursuit of alternatives

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed in a recent briefing that Russia had engaged in dialogue with the new regime forces in Damascus. "We must maintain contact with those who are controlling the situation on the ground because, as I mentioned, we have facilities and personnel there," Peskov said.

US officials also revealed that Russia had started relocating naval assets from Syria to Libya. Moscow is reportedly pressuring Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar to secure a port in Benghazi. Losing access to Tartus in Syria would leave Russia without a Mediterranean base, limiting its ability to maintain power and transport materials between Russia and Africa.

Satellite images from Maxar, reported by CNN, show preparations for withdrawal at Russia's Hmeimim airbase. Heavy transport planes, disassembled attack helicopters, and components of S-400 air defense systems were seen being packed for transport.

Withdrawal or sanctions

In a related context, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp called earlier today for Russia's military withdrawal from Syria as a key condition for lifting European Union sanctions on HTS.

Speaking ahead of an EU foreign ministers meeting, Veldkamp stressed the need to tie sanctions relief to an inclusive political transition and the removal of Russian forces.

"I think it's too early to lift those sanctions," Veldkamp said. "We really would like to condition that on an inclusive political transition."

He added, "It's also important to look at conditionality regarding the Russian military bases in Syria. We want the Russians out."

  • Russia
  • Syria
  • United States
  • Bashar al-Assad

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

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

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

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