Russia Withdraws Military From Syria After Assad Ouster

Following the recent ousting of Bashar al-Assad, Russia has begun a significant military withdrawal from Syria, evacuating heavy equipment and personnel primarily from the Khmeimim airbase and Tartous naval facility. Satellite imagery confirms the movement of Russian cargo planes to Libya, where Moscow is reportedly seeking to bolster its military presence by supporting Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar. Notably, Russian forces have utilized a truck stolen from Ukraine during their retreat from Kherson in 2022 for this evacuation. Despite the withdrawal, Russian officials maintain discussions with new Syrian authorities regarding the future of their bases, which remain crucial for Russia's regional influence. The Kremlin continues to deploy military transport aircraft for the transfer of personnel and equipment back to Russia. This strategic shift raises concerns about Russia's operational capabilities in the Middle East and North Africa following the regime change in Syria.