Syrian Forces Block Russian Military Convoy En Route to Tartus
Syrian forces reportedly blocked a Russian military convoy of around 30 vehicles carrying S-300 and S-400 missile launch containers from reaching the port of Tartus.
According to Turkish TRT media outlet, the vehicles were from Khmeimim airbase in Latakia province. “After waiting at the checkpoint for eight hours, the convoy was forced to return to the Khmeimim base at around 5 p.m. local time,” the report states.
Established in 1971 during the Soviet era, the Tartus naval base is Russia’s only Mediterranean facility for warship repairs and resupply. Following Assad’s fall, Russia has begun withdrawing military assets from Tartus.
Syria Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasr recently stated that Russia’s continued use of military bases in Syria would depend on whether they serve Syrian interests. “If it benefits Syria, then yes,” he remarked.
The U.K.’s latest Defense Intelligence update on Syria and Russia stated that negotiations between Moscow and Damascus over the future of Russian bases “are almost certainly ongoing.”
The assessment also claims that “Russia almost certainly continues to actively engage HTS to develop ties and promote itself as a beneficial partner.” However, it noted that Russia’s negotiating position is weaker due to several factors, including “probably, the Syrian leadership’s hostile attitude towards former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, who is now being sheltered by Russia.”
In a recent meeting between Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and a Russian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov in Damascus, Syria’s new leadership demanded reparations from Russia and the extradition of Assad in exchange for allowing Moscow to retain its military bases in the country.
Beyond financial reparations and Assad’s extradition, Syria is also seeking Russian support for rebuilding the war-ravaged country.
