Kommersant: Syria may ask Russian forces to leave Al-Qamishli airbase

Syria’s transitional government is preparing to request the withdrawal of Russian forces from one of their three military bases in the country — the airbase in Al-Qamishli, located in the north, Moscow-based newspaper Kommersant reports.

Syrian officials familiar with the matter say talks on the issue could begin once the northeastern province of Hasakah, where Al-Qamishli is situated, comes under the control of central authorities from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The SDF, which Damascus considers linked to the terrorist organisation PKK, currently holds the province.

On January 20, the Syrian government reportedly gave the SDF four days to develop a plan for the peaceful integration of Hasakah, its last stronghold, into state institutions.

A Syrian source told the publication that Damascus may open discussions with Moscow over the status of the Al-Qamishli airbase, which Russia has used since 2019.

“I think the Russians will be asked to leave Al-Qamishli completely. There is no longer any reason for them to stay,” the source said.

The source also noted that the United States, which previously maintained a military presence in northeastern Syria, has reduced its mission and withdrawn support for the SDF.

Currently, in addition to Al-Qamishli, Russia maintains a small contingent at the Khmeimim airbase in Latakia province and a naval logistics facility in Tartus.

By Aghakazim Guliyev