Russian forces are withdrawing their ships from the Syrian base in Tartus, according to intelligence reports.

Russia is withdrawing its ships from Syria and transferring remnants of weapons and military equipment via aircraft from the airbase in Khmeimim. 

This is reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR). 

After losing control over Damascus amid the ongoing offensive operations of opposition forces in the provinces of Latakia, Hama, and Tartus, the Russian army has pulled its combat ships from the naval base in Tartus, which Assad had granted to Moscow in exchange for his security.

On December 8, 2024, the frigate "Admiral Grigorovich" of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the cargo ship "Engineer Tubin" of the Northern Fleet of Russia set sail into the Mediterranean Sea.

Intelligence noted that the opposition controls Assad's residence, government buildings, and the central office of national television. “After capturing Damascus, anti-Assad forces are moving towards the coast – the likely loss of Russian military bases in Tartus and Khmeimim finalizes the Kremlin's defeat in the Middle East,” adds GUR.

Background. Previously, Mind reported that on the night of December 8, Syrian rebels entered the capital. In the morning, they announced the end of Assad's regime. The whereabouts of the Syrian president are unknown – media speculate that he may be hiding in Iran. Reuters, citing data from Flightradar24, reports that Assad's plane disappeared from radar. There is a high probability that the aircraft has crashed, and the fleeing president has died, two sources in Syria told the agency.