New satellite images reveal hundreds of civilians seeking shelter at Russia’s Khmeimim Air Base, as violence continued between Syria’s new government and loyalist forces of deposed President Bashar al-Assad.
The images circulating on social media show makeshift shelters surrounded by armored vehicles at the Russian installation on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. One image captures people next to an Il-76 transport aircraft.
#Syria#Hmeimim, where many Syrian civilians fleeing have been able to take refuge. People are setting up makeshift beds right on the platform and the crowd is guarded by Russian soldiers in armored vehicles. In essence, the airbase is becoming a large refugee camp. pic.twitter.com/c3LCtiZwc8
— Mina (@Mina696645851) March 13, 2025
Russia is a known ally of Syria under Assad’s rule. The country granted asylum to Assad and his family when his administration fell to members of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in December.
According to The War Zone, members of the Alawite minority—the sect to which Assad belongs—began seeking refuge at the Russian base after Syrian forces killed hundreds during last week’s clashes with pro-Assad elements in Latakia and Tartous provinces.
On Monday, the Syrian Defense Ministry announced the conclusion of the military operation after the intense fighting left hundreds dead.
Ministry spokesman Hassan Abdul Ghani stated that the government made the decision after neutralizing loyalists of Assad in Latakia and Tartous provinces.
“Our forces have neutralized the security cells and remnants of the former regime from the town of al-Mukhtareyah, the town of al-Mazairaa, the area of al-Zobar, and other locations in Latakia province, as well as Dalia town, Tanita town, and Qadmous in Tartous province, resulting in the thwarting of threats and securing the area,” he said in a post on X.
The recent clashes between Syria’s newly established forces and Assad loyalists mark the deadliest internal conflict since Assad’s overthrow in December. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Monday that nearly 1,500 people had been killed in the violence.
Among the fatalities, the Observatory reported, were at least 745 civilians, 125 Syrian security personnel, and 148 fighters loyal to Assad.
