File image.
Russian air defenses shot down early on April 11 at least three mysterious drones over Khmeimim Air Base on the Syrian coast.
Khmeimim, which is mainly run by the Russian Aerospace Forces, is considered the main headquarters of the Russian military group operating in Syria. Another base operated by the Russian Navy is located at the port of Tartus, further south along the coast.
Ahead of the interceptions, videos posted to social networks showed a large fire in an open area close to Khmeimim. Gunfire can also be heard in the footage.
It remains unclear if the drones shot down over Khmeimim were on their way to attack the air base, or were just gathering intelligence.
Tensions have been mounting on the coast since the forces of the Syrian Islamist-led interim government unleashed a deadly crackdown against the Alawite religious minority, which makes up most of the region’s population, last month. More than 1,600 civilians, mainly Alawites, were killed and tens of thousands others were displaced, with nearly 10,000 taking refuge at Khmeimim.
Several mysterious drones have been intercepted by Russian air defenses over both Khmeimim and Tartus since the crackdown.
Despite the rising tensions, there has been no fraction whatsoever between the Syrian government and Russian forces operating in the two bases.
After the fall of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad last December, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service warned after that the United States and British intelligence services were preparing “terrorist acts” against Russian bases in Syria, including the use of drones.
While the Syrian government and Russia maintain high levels of communications, the two are yet to reach an agreement on the future of Russian bases on the coast.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
