Egypt Daily News – Four Syrian officials said that Russia is withdrawing its forces from the front lines in northern Syria and from positions in the Alawite mountains, but will not leave its two main bases in the country, after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president.
Satellite footage on Friday showed what appeared to be at least two Antonov AN-124 aircraft, among the largest cargo aircraft in the world, at the Hmeimim base, apparently in preparation for loading, while a Syrian security official stationed outside the facility said: At least one cargo plane left for Libya on Saturday.
Withdrawing equipment and transporting senior Syrian officers
For its part, Syrian military and security sources in contact with the Russians explained that Moscow is withdrawing its forces from the front lines and withdrawing some heavy equipment and senior Syrian officers.
But the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, pointed out that Russia is not withdrawing from its two main bases and currently has no intention of doing so.
A senior Syrian army officer in contact with the Russian army also said that some equipment is being shipped back to Moscow, as well as senior officers from the Syrian army, warning that the goal of this, at this stage, is to regroup and redeploy according to what is dictated and the developments on the ground.
Additionally another Syrian security official stationed outside the Russian air base in Latakia said that a Russian cargo plane left the base, heading to Libya, today, Saturday. The official stationed at the base’s gate added to Reuters news agency that more Russian planes are expected to take off from the Hmeimim air base in the coming days.
