As I've predicted i don't actually think the Russians are leaving the Syrian port/airbase. They've pulled most of their more important equipment and their forces from around Syria but these bases are likely to remain. Syria is pretty fragile, and you have to be pragmatic as new leaders, no benefit to grandstand and burn bridges. A relationship with Russia can still be very beneficial, as i mentioned particularly that Syria will probably need a lot of grain and other food aid as the dust settles which Russia can export. Turkey, which has a overwhelming power in Syria now also benefits and buys goodwill by allowing the Russians keep these bases. It's pretty interesting that Russia is allowed to basically save the Syrian regime brass and bring them to safety. Without that they'd be getting lynched like many already have.
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TARTOUS, Syria, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Russia is pulling back its military from the front lines in northern Syria and from posts in the Alawite Mountains but is not leaving its two main bases in the country after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, four Syrian officials told Reuters.
The ousting of Assad, who along with his late father, former President Hafez al-Assad, had forged a close alliance with Moscow, has thrown the future of Russia's bases - the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia and the Tartous naval facility - into question.
Satellite footage from Friday shows what appeared to be at least two Antonov AN-124s, among the world's largest cargo planes, at the Hmeimim base with their nose cones open, apparently preparing to load up.
At least one cargo plane flew out on Saturday for Libya, a Syrian security official stationed outside the facility said.
Syrian military and security sources in contact with the Russians told Reuters that Moscow was pulling back 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, said Russia was not pulling out of its two main bases and currently had no intention of doing so.
Some equipment is being shipped back to Moscow as are very senior officers from Assad's military but the aim at this stage is to regroup and redeploy as dictated by developments on the ground, a senior Syrian army officer in touch with the Russian military told Reuters.
https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-pulling-back-not-out-syria-sources-say-2024-12-14/