I knew we have been close to a Russian army base once I might learn the names of outlets, cafes and pharmacies written in Russian, in surrounding villages.
The Russians have been completely based mostly right here since 2017, propping up the Assad regime and overseeing the battle in opposition to their many opponents. And the native communities have benefitted financially from their presence.
However for a way lengthy this may all final is outwardly the main focus of talks between Moscow and the brand new authorities in Syria as a result of they might not keep.
For now, although, what we do know, is that Russian convoys are withdrawing from bases throughout Syria and are heading for the Mediterranean Coast.
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Important entrance to Russia’s Hmeimim army base in Syria
On a dusty highway close to the principle Russian entrance to Hmeimim air base close to Latakia, I might see a convoy of Russian army automobiles trundling their well beyond the Russian-named retailers.
They have been armoured preventing automobiles, troop carriers, armoured police vehicles, and provide lorries, some marked with the letter ‘Z’ – synonymous after all with the battle in Ukraine.
Russian army automobiles wait to enter Hmeimim air base
However it is a battle that’s over.
The Russian troopers onboard the automobiles mainly tried to disregard us, or just drop down into the gun turrets to keep away from being filmed.
Above us, a Russian helicopter gunship always patrolled the world in brilliant blue skies, often passing an enormous white remark blimp – a continuing presence in any respect main army bases the world over.
Jets would often scream overhead, some touchdown, some taking off, whereas transport planes, among the largest on this planet, taxied backward and forward on the airstrip.
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It is a busy base and it seems to be getting busier – the convoys have been arriving for the previous few days.
The doorway to the civilian airport, which shares the runway, is now guarded by HTS fighters. They have been relaxed, sitting subsequent to pick-up vehicles with high-calibre machine weapons mounted on the again.
HTS troopers guarding army airport
I requested one of many troopers on responsibility, Zakaria Harir, what his orders have been, and if they’d any contact with the Russians inside.
“The placement of this airport is essential, and that is why we have acquired orders to be right here,” he informed me.
“As troopers, we have no contact with them [the Russians], however there could be coordination between them and the nation’s army council.”
No person is aware of what will occur to the Russians, however on the very least they’re reported to be withdrawing to Russia’s two primary bases on the coast, certainly one of which is the Hmeimim base.
A Syrian tank loaded on a lorry by HTS fighters
On the highway to Latakia, alongside the identical route among the Russian convoys take, the sheer variety of destroyed or deserted Syrian military army automobiles – tanks, rocket launchers, vehicles, and armoured automobiles, and troop carriers – is sort of astounding. It goes on for mile after mile after mile.
Some are burnt out and riddled with bullets, and it is clear that regardless of the velocity of the insurgent advance, there have been main exchanges of fireplace right here. As we drove, we might see low-loader lorries backing as much as tanks on the principle freeway.
HTS troopers have been utilizing bulldozers to push the tanks on board, and the tanks gave the impression to be in working order.
HTS troopers within the city close to the Hmeimim air base
A soldier informed me they’d merely been deserted by retreating Syrian military tank crews or had damaged down. They have been taking the tanks away to workshops to be mounted – some they mentioned simply want new batteries, others simply wanted an oil change.
It seems like they’re constructing a brand new Syrian military, taking on and utilizing the tools of the outdated one.
The regime is gone, and its primary supporter’s troopers are drawing down. Syria is altering at breakneck velocity – only a week in the past it was a battle.
