Newsletters
Russian forces have begun withdrawing from positions in northeast Syria, moving personnel and equipment from the Qamishli airport area as the terrorist organization YPG/SDF loses territory and strategic relevance following reduced American support.
Political analyst Aydin Sezer told Türkiye Today that the Qamishli base was not actively operational following Assad's departure, making this withdrawal less significant than it appears.
"Russia's two bases on Syria's Mediterranean coast were active. The Qamishli base was already not in use after Assad's departure. There was Russian infrastructure there, military patrols and military police controlling developments in the region in cooperation with the Assad administration. Its functionality had already ended, but Russia was maintaining the base's infrastructure. Therefore, this is not a withdrawal from an actively operating base—this needs to be underlined," Sezer said.
Sezer noted that Russia made no official statements through its Foreign Ministry or Kremlin during either the SDF's negotiations with Sharaa or the recent fighting, preferring to remain silent.
"This is a product of Russia's wait-and-see policy regarding developments on the ground, because Russia has very good relations with the Sharaa administration. It provides very serious economic assistance, continues wheat and oil deliveries, and Syrian currency continues to be printed in Russia. In return, Russia maintains its presence in the Eastern Mediterranean, which is critical for it," Sezer explained.
Russia's Syria policy over the past year involves hosting and protecting Assad while also "giving a chance" to the Sharaa administration, but primarily watching the performance of the U.S., Western countries and especially Türkiye in Syria, and revising its Syria policy according to developments, Sezer said.
Russian forces began evacuating their positions around Qamishli airport five or six days ago, withdrawing equipment via cargo planes, according to SDF member deployed at the facility.
"We don't know if its destination was Russia or the Hmeimim air base," the SDF members said, referring to Russia's main base on Syria's coast, adding that, "They still have a presence in Qamishli and have been evacuating bit by bit."
Associated Press (AP) journalists visited a base next to the Qamishli airport on Tuesday and found it guarded by SDF members.
The living quarters for Russian soldiers were largely empty, with scattered items left behind, including workout equipment, protein powder and clothing.
Syrian military sources told state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) that Russia transported military personnel and various equipment from the Qamishli base using military cargo aircraft. Sources confirmed to AA that Russian forces are withdrawing to the Hmeimim Air Base in Latakia province.
A Syrian security source on Syria's western coast said Russian military vehicles and heavy weaponry had been transported from Qamishli to Hmeimim over the past two days, according to Reuters.
There has been no official statement from Russia's defense ministry about the withdrawal.
The withdrawal signals Russia's shift away from the SDF as Syria's Damascus government under President Ahmad al-Sharaa gains international backing and asserts control over the country.
Government forces have taken swathes of northern and eastern Syria from the SDF this month as Damascus aims to establish authority over the entire country.
Russian daily Kommersant reported last week, citing an unnamed Syrian source, that the Syrian government might ask Russian forces to leave the Qamishli base once it has pushed the SDF out because "there's nothing for them (the Russians) to do there."
Russia stationed forces at Qamishli airport since 2019, a relatively small deployment compared to its air base and naval facility on Syria's Mediterranean coast, both of which it is expected to maintain.
Russia, a close ally of the ousted President Bashar al-Assad, has established ties with Sharaa since he seized power in December 2024 following the rebel offensive.
Moscow's scorched-earth intervention in support of Assad a decade ago turned the tide of Syria's civil war, keeping Assad in power. Russia did not counter the rebel offensive in late 2024 but gave asylum to Assad after he fled the country.
Despite having been on opposite sides during the civil war, Damascus has taken a pragmatic approach to relations with Moscow. Sharaa told Russian President Vladimir Putin last year he would honor all past deals struck between Damascus and Moscow, suggesting Russia's two main military bases in Syria are secure.
Sharaa is expected to visit Moscow on Wednesday and meet with Putin.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
