Item 1 of 4 A satellite tv for pc picture reveals three vessels in Russia’s Mediterranean fleet moored 13km northwest off Syria’s coast, after Syrian rebels ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in Tartous, Syria on this handout image taken on December 9, 2024. 2024 PLANET LABS INC./Handout through REUTERS
An picture taken on Dec. 9 by Planet Labs confirmed not less than three vessels in Russia’s Mediterranean fleet, together with two guided missile frigates and an oiler, moored round 13 km (eight miles) northwest of Tartous. The remainder of the fleet couldn’t be instantly situated in satellite tv for pc imagery.
In Moscow, Russia’s defence ministry didn’t instantly reply to a Reuters request for remark.
Syrian rebels seized the capital Damascus on Sunday after a lightening advance that despatched Assad fleeing to Russia after a 13-year civil conflict and 54 years of his household’s autocratic rule.
Moscow, which was an ally of the Assad regime for many years, is now scrambling to make a take care of the rebels to ensure the security of two strategically vital army bases.
Russia has a significant air base within the coastal metropolis of Latakia and its naval facility at Tartous.
The Tartous base is Russia’s solely Mediterranean restore and replenishment hub, and Moscow has used Syria as a staging submit to fly its army contractors out and in of Africa.
Previously, Russia had 5 floor ships and one submarine at Tartous, in accordance with an evaluation of satellite tv for pc imagery by BlackSky and Planet Labs. An picture taken on Dec. 5 by BlackSky confirmed all six vessels on the base.
The fleet departed from the naval base someday between Dec. 6 and Dec. 9, satellite tv for pc imagery indicated.
Sign up right here.
Reporting by Reade Levinson; modifying by Mark Heinrich
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
