A cargo plane from Russia flew out of Latakia, Syria, on Saturday, heading toward Libya. This happened soon after rebels took control from President Bashar al-Assad last weekend. A Syrian official at the airbase reported that more Russian planes are expected to leave in the coming days.
The Hmeimim airbase in Latakia has been very active recently. Along with the departing cargo plane, an Ilyushin II-76 cargo plane and an Alligator helicopter landed. Helicopters were flying around the base, and a SU-34 jet came in to refuel. A Zeppelin was seen floating above, and two trucks with Russian flags moved around inside the base.
Recently, satellite images showed Russia shifting military equipment at Hmeimim airbase. Two Antonov AN-124 cargo planes were spotted in these images. Russia has been a key supporter of Assad and helped him escape to safety as rebels approached the capital, Damascus. The Russian government has expressed a desire to keep its two military bases in Syria: the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia and a naval base in Tartous, in order to fight against what they describe as international terrorism.
On Thursday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov mentioned that talks with the political group of Syria’s Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham were going well.
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