Russia withdraws military equipment from Syrian port, images show

Russia has stepped up its military withdrawal from Syria, removing vehicles and containers from its key Tartous port on the country’s Mediterranean coast, analysis by BBC Verify suggests.

After the fall of the Assad regime in December, verified footage showed columns of Russian vehicles moving north towards the port. Satellite images subsequently showed military hardware being stored there.

But new images published on Wednesday by Planet Labs showed that much of the material has now disappeared, after the departure of vessels linked to the Russian military.

It comes as Russian officials held “frank discussions” with the new government in Damascus, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

There have been reports that the new Syrian government has cancelled Russia’s lease at the port – but government departments contacted by the BBC would not confirm a final decision had been made.

Tartous has been a key base for Russia in recent years, allowing it to refuel, resupply and repair vessels in the Mediterranean. But warships previously docked at the port have not appeared in satellite images since the collapse of the Assad regime – which Moscow backed throughout the Syrian civil war.

Read The Article

The truth may be an offense, but it is never a sin.

Join ScoonTv Contributors

Share ScoonTv