ISW reports on timeline for Russia's withdrawal of troops from Syria
Russians are gradually withdrawing their troops from Syria (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Russian forces have completely withdrawn from most of their positions in Syria, but they remain at the Hmeimim airbase and the Tartus port. Moscow plans to fully withdraw its troops by February 2025, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
On December 23, Ukraine's Main Directorate of Military Intelligence stated that Russian forces had completed the withdrawal of their units from all positions in the interior regions of Syria and are now only present at the Hmeimim airbase and the Tartus port.
According to the ISW, the last sighting of Russian troops occurred at the Qamishli military base in the Hasakah province on December 18. The Institute suggests that Russian units fully evacuated this base a few days afterward.
"Russia still maintains a presence in coastal Syria at Hmeimim Air Base and the port of Tartus, but visual evidence and Syrian reporting continue to indicate that Russian forces are preparing to either significantly draw down or withdraw fully from coastal Syria," the Institute notes.
The ISW also referred to data from Ukrainian intelligence, which indicated that on December 23, a Russian cargo ship that had broken down in the Mediterranean was heading to Syria to evacuate Russian equipment and weapons from Tartus.
Additionally, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense's Main Directorate of Intelligence reported that Russia and the new (Syrian) government, likely referring to the interim government led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-led interim government, have likely continued negotiations and discussed potential demands from the Syrian side for Russia to leave Hmeimim and Tartus by no later than February 20, 2025.
The Institute also cited the words of Russian presidential assistant Yuri Ushakov, who on December 23 stated that Moscow is in contact with the new authorities in Syria through both diplomatic and military channels.
Evacuation of Russian troops from Syria
After the capture of key cities, including the capital Damascus, by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the flight of dictator Bashar al-Assad from Syria, Russian forces began a partial withdrawal from the country.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia is facing serious problems with evacuating its troops from Syria.
