Sergei Novikov/TASS
The command of the Russian military group in Syria is in talks with the country’s interim government to launch joint patrols in the vicinity of its bases there, Syrian activists reported on April 15.
Russia maintains presence at two facilities on the Syrian coast, the Tartus naval base and Khmeimim air base. Russian forces are also still deployed at Qamishli airport in the northeast of the country, but that region is controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.
The activists who revealed the talks said that the joint patrols would strengthen international cooperation to ensure security and maintain stability in the coast.
Russia and the Syrian government are yet to reach an agreement on the future of the bases in Tartus and Khmeimim, the two sides maintain high levels of communications.
Tensions have been mounting on the coast since government forces 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 sheltering refuge at Khmeimim.
The government made numerous attempts to persuade the refugees to leave Khmeimim. However, the vast majority refuses to leave without solid security guarantees, or even international protection. Violations, including kidnappings and killings, continue to be reported.
Adding to the tensions on the coast, several mysterious drones have been intercepted by Russian air defenses over both Khmeimim and Tartus since the crackdown.
Following the crackdown, reports revealed that Russian forces had expanded their control around Khmeimim, entering at least three nearby towns to secure the air base. The move was apparently coordinated with government forces which withdrew from the towns of Qubaisiya, Bakhdarmo, and Khirbet al-Ashar.
The Syrian government has already shown willingness to cooperate with Russian forces on the coast, at least to some extent.
Involving Russian forces in security measures on the coast could help ease some of the tensions there. Nevertheless, the government may not accept the Russian initiative as it appears to be determined to subdue the Alawites.
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