Ukraine: Russian troops in Syria lack food and water

2024-12-16 07:51:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Russian military personnel still in Syria are facing shortages of food and drinking water as the evacuation of troops and equipment continues there, according to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (GUR).

Russian personnel are facing these problems at military bases in Tartus and Hmeimim and on ships anchored at sea near the Mediterranean coast, the GUR press service said in a statement on Telegram on December 15.

The GUR also said that remaining Russian servicemen were waiting for military transport planes, which were supposed to bring food.

That statement went on to say that Russia is continuing to withdraw its contingent from remote areas of Syria.

"At the same time, on some roads, the Russians are accompanied by armed groups opposing the Assad regime," GUR said.

The statement added that there are rumors circulating among Russian soldiers that Moscow has agreed to maintain its presence at the two bases, where the number of military personnel reaches up to 3,000.

Radio Free Europe has not failed to independently verify this information, which has not been commented on by the Russian authorities.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Telegram that it had evacuated part of its diplomatic staff from Syria on December 15. She said the withdrawal was carried out by a special flight of the Russian Air Force from the Hmeimim airbase.

Russian transport planes have left the Hmeimim airbase in recent days as part of the evacuation following the ouster of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

Assad was toppled last week after an offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Assad defected to Russia, the main backer of his regime.

Satellite images taken on December 13 by space technology company Maxar appeared to show that Russia was preparing to withdraw military equipment from the Hmeimim airbase. Footage showed at least two Antonov An-124 cargo planes on the runway.

Russia has also sent several ships to Syria, according to the sources.

In Damascus, HTS has appointed an interim government, and its leader, Riad al-Asaad, told AFP on December 15 that he is confident the factions that helped oust Assad will unite as a force alone. HTS and the transitional government have insisted that the rights of all Syrians will be protected.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy about the situation in Syria, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on December 15.

Blinken and Lammy discussed the situation "and the principles adopted by the United States and the countries of the region that should be applied during the transition process and the formation of a new government," Miller said in a statement.

On December 14, Blinken attended an emergency meeting in Jordan of foreign ministers from the Arab League, Turkey and senior officials from the European Union and the United Nations.

He then said that the United States had made "direct contacts" with HTS and other parties. He declined to discuss the details of those contacts, but said it was important for the United States to convey messages to the group about its behavior and how it intends to govern during the transition period.

Blinken said a joint statement was agreed at the meeting in Jordan that sets out the principles other countries want to see in Syria's political transition, including inclusiveness and respect for minorities and women, as well as ensuring that terrorist groups do not take control. instead./REL