Russia Begins Withdrawal From Northeast Syria

According to two Syrian sources cited by Reuters, Russian forces began a phased withdrawal from Qamishli airport last week. One source said some units would be redeployed to the Hmeimim air base in western Syria, while others would return to Russia.

A separate Syrian security source on the western coast said Russian military vehicles and heavy weaponry had been transported from Qamishli to Hmeimim over the past two days.

Despite the reported drawdown, a Reuters journalist observed Russian flags still flying at Qamishli airport on Monday, with two aircraft bearing Russian markings parked on the runway.

Shifting Control in Northern and Eastern Syria

The withdrawal comes as Syrian government forces under President Ahmed al-Sharaa have taken large areas of northern and eastern Syria from the YPG this month, as Damascus seeks to restore its authority across the country.

A fragile ceasefire between government forces and the YPG was extended on Saturday for an additional 15 days, according to Syrian sources.

Russian newspaper Kommersant reported last week, citing an unnamed Syrian source, that Damascus could ask Russian forces to leave Qamishli once Kurdish forces were pushed out, arguing that “there’s nothing for them to do there.”

Russia–Syria Ties Remain Intact

There was no immediate comment from Russia’s defense ministry on the reported withdrawal.

Russia, a close ally of Syria’s ousted President Bashar al-Assad, has maintained relations with President Ahmed al-Sharaa since he came to power around 14 months ago. Sharaa told Russian President Vladimir Putin last year that Damascus would honor all previous agreements with Moscow, a pledge widely seen as securing Russia’s continued presence at its two main military bases in Syria.