Russia has reportedly asked Turkey for assistance in facilitating the safe withdrawal of its troops from Syria, according to CNN Turkey.
Under the proposed arrangement, Russian forces would initially relocate to areas of Syria controlled by Turkey before being flown back to Russia.
However, Russia is expected to retain a presence in two key strategic locations: the naval base in Tartus and the Khmeimim airbase.
Collapse of Assad’s Regime
The development follows the dramatic fall of the Russian-backed Assad regime after Syrian rebels captured Damascus on December 8. This marked the end of over five decades of authoritarian rule by the Assad dynasty.
Rebel forces quickly took control of major strongholds, forcing former President Bashar al-Assad to flee to an undisclosed location.
Unverified reports suggest that Assad, along with his family, may have sought and been granted asylum in Moscow on humanitarian grounds.
Strategic Setback for Russia
With Damascus lost and anti-Assad forces advancing, Russia’s military presence in Syria faces serious challenges.
The potential loss of control over the Tartus naval base and Khmeimim airbase would represent a major setback for Russia’s regional influence and a significant strategic defeat.
While the exact details of Russia's withdrawal plan remain unclear, the request for Turkey's cooperation signals a new phase in the shifting dynamics of Syria’s long-running conflict.
