Russian forces pull back from Qamishli airport as Syrian government advances
Illustrative photo: Russian troops are leaving Syria (Getty Images)
Russia has begun withdrawing troops from Qamishli airport in Syria amid the government’s offensive on Kurdish-held territories, Reuters reports.
According to Syrian sources, some forces are relocating to the Hmeimim airbase in western Syria, while others are returning to Russia.
The withdrawal process has been ongoing since last week. Over the past two days, military equipment and heavy weapons have been transported from Qamishli to Hmeimim.
Reuters correspondents note that Russian flags still fly at the Qamishli airport, and planes bearing Russian markings remain on the runway.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has not commented on the situation.
Earlier, Syrian sources said the government might ask Russia to leave the airport entirely once Kurdish forces withdraw, saying there is "nothing for them (Russian troops - ed.) to do there."
Russia-Syria relations
Russia, an ally of former President Bashar al-Assad, continues to support the government of Al-Sharaa, which came to power around 14 months ago. Last year, Al-Sharaa told Russian leader Vladimir Putin that he would follow all previous agreements between Damascus and Moscow, ensuring the security of Russia’s two main military bases in Syria.
In January, government forces under President Ahmed Al-Sharaa captured significant territories in northern and eastern Syria that were previously controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Following these clashes, a fragile ceasefire between the sides was extended for another 15 days.
Back in December 2025, ISW experts forecasted the future of Russian military bases in Syria. According to their analysis, Russia had long decided to withdraw troops from its last major base in northern Syria, Qamishli, as Türkiye and various groups operating in Syria, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Syrian National Army, seem unwilling to allow Russia to remain there.
Additionally, on December 17, Syrian media reported that Russian forces had pulled back from the Tiyas airbase (west of Palmyra in Homs province) toward the Hmeimim airbase.
Earlier, Ukrainian intelligence reported that Russian troops at the port of Tartus, the Hmeimim airbase, and nearby vessels are facing supply issues, including shortages of drinking water and food.
