Ukraine reveals Russian troop withdrawal plan from Syria

(Dan Tri) - Ukrainian intelligence said Russia is planning to transport some military equipment and weapons from its naval base in Syria to Libya.

Russia's Khmeimim airbase in Syria (Photo: Reuters).

Opposition forces overthrew Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime in early December. In that context, Russia is said to have begun withdrawing naval and military assets from Syria.

Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) said that a number of mercenaries from the Russian Afrika Korps are stationed at the Tartus base on the Mediterranean coast.

The Russian Afrika Korps is said to have been formed in 2023 and will have more than 2,000 soldiers and officers, as well as experienced mercenaries, many of whom previously served in the Russian private military force Wagner.

The African Corps has been deployed in Syria, Libya, Burkina Faso and Niger.

According to HUR, the large Russian landing ships Ivan Gren and Alexander Otrakovsky, as well as the transport ship Sparta are expected to arrive at the Syrian port on January 5.

Two other Russian ships, the multipurpose transport ship Sparta II and the tanker Ivan Skoblev, are expected to arrive on January 8.

"Russia plans to use the Sparta and Sparta II ships to transport military equipment and weapons from Syria to Libya," HUR added.

Another Russian warship, the frigate Admiral Golovko, is reportedly planning to refuel.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that negotiations with Syria's new leadership could decide the future of operations and terms for Russian military bases there.

"The deployment of Russian military bases in Syria is regulated by agreements concluded between Russia and Syria in accordance with international law. Each document defines the conditions for the operation of these facilities and includes specific obligations for both sides," Foreign Minister Lavrov told RIA Novosti news agency on December 29.

He admitted that the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad forced Russia to adjust its military deployment in the country.

While there has been no formal request to amend the agreements, Lavrov noted that the declared transition period until March 1, 2025 under the Syrian interim government has placed restrictions on policymaking.

After militant groups led by Hayat Tahrir-al-Sham (HTS) launched a surprise attack across Syria, taking control of several important cities, including the capital Damascus, toppling the Assad regime, the fate of the Russian bases in Khmeimim and Tartus is a big question mark.

In 2017, Moscow and Damascus agreed to station Russian troops there for 49 years.

Mr Lavrov said Moscow was maintaining contacts with the new Syrian authorities, discussing the safety of Russian citizens and the embassy in the country. He stressed Moscow’s interest in dialogue with Damascus on other bilateral issues.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/ukraine-tiet-lo-ke-hoach-rut-quan-cua-nga-khoi-syria-20250103213725793.htm