{"id":31413,"date":"2018-07-27T20:48:11","date_gmt":"2018-07-27T20:48:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/07\/27\/russias-probably-not-leaving-syria-anytime-soon-heres-why\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:28:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:28:14","slug":"russias-probably-not-leaving-syria-anytime-soon-heres-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2018\/07\/27\/russias-probably-not-leaving-syria-anytime-soon-heres-why\/","title":{"rendered":"Russia\u2019s probably not leaving Syria anytime soon. Here\u2019s why."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Syrian President Bashar Al Assad<\/a> wants a long-term Russian military<\/a> presence in his homeland, not just to help with counter-terrorism operations, but also to provide a balance against other powers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow there is an agreement between Syria and Russia about the base in Khmeimim, as you know, it will be valid for more than 40 years,\u201d Assad told state media, according to TASS<\/a>, a Kremlin-owned news service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf the question were: Did the Russian army come here only to fight terrorism, then why conclude a contract for more than 40 years? It could be limited to several years and then constantly renewed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khmeimim Air Base is located near the Syrian port city of Latakia, and currently used by the Russian Air Force<\/a>. The airstrip there is capable of landing large transport planes, as well as Sukhoi Su-24 bombers, Sukhoi Su-25 ground-attack<\/a> fighters, Sukhoi Su-34 bombers and Russian military helicopters, according to Russian state media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given that the base was built specifically for Russian forces in 2015, the permanence of the position isn\u2019t too surprising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Russian Armed Forces are important for balance in our region, at least in the Middle East, until the political equilibrium in the world changes,\u201d Assad said. \u201cRussia is a big country, it\u2019s a great power, therefore it has a duty to the whole world … and she is responsible for the whole world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Syrian government forces’ soldiers hold their weapons during a government guided tour in the village of al-Sourah, province of Daraa, on June 29, 2018. – Rebels controlling several towns in southern Syria were on Friday considering a deal for a regime takeover in exchange for an end to fierce bombing, state media and a monitor said. \rSince June 19, Russian-backed government forces have been battering opposition-held parts of Daraa province with air strikes and barrel bombs, simultaneously calling on rebels to surrender. (YOUSSEF KARWASHAN\/AFP\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Part of the responsibility Assad envisions for Russian forces includes \u201cpolitical and military presence in various regions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S.-led coalition to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria maintains a forward military presence in northeastern Syria. That coalition is allied with the Iraqi government, but it is not sanctioned through the Syrian government, although U.S. and Russian officials frequently deconflict military operations to prevent their forces from trading blows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The long-term presence of U.S. forces has been subject to ongoing debate domestically. U.S. President Donald Trump at times claims the United States will soon withdrawal, while his military leaders often caution against such a move, warning it could allow for a resurgence of ISIS terror cells in liberated territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\t