Russia is withdrawing its military personnel from the front line in northern Syriabut also from positions in the Alawite Mountains, but is not abandoning its two bases in the country, after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, four officials from the Syria.

The flight of Assad, who together with his father, the late former president Hafez al-Assad, built a close alliance with Russia called into question the future of Russian bases (Khmeimim air base in Latakia, naval base in Tartus).

Satellite photos of Friday show at least two AN-124 transport aircraft at Hmeimim base with the entry cones at the front of their fuselage in the open position as they were apparently preparing to load military materiel.

At least one transport plane flew to Libya yesterdaya Syrian security official said outside the reported air base.

Sources of the Syrian army, but also of the security services that have communication with the Russians, told Reuters that the Russia withdrawing its forces from the front lines, as well as withdrawing heavy equipment, but also fleeing high-ranking officers of the Syrian armed forces.

However, the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stressed that given the sensitive nature of the situation, Russia is not withdrawing from its two main military bases, and currently has no plans to abandon them.

Some of the equipment is being transferred back to Moscow, as are senior Assad army officers, with the aim at this stage of regrouping, depending on developments on Syrian soil, a senior Syrian army officer in contact with Russian officials told Reuters. armed force.