A Maxar Technologies satellite image taken on December 10 shows a Gorshkov-class frigate off the Syrian port city of Tartus. AFP
A Maxar Technologies satellite image taken on December 10 shows a Gorshkov-class frigate off the Syrian port city of Tartus. AFP
A Maxar Technologies satellite image taken on December 10 shows a Gorshkov-class frigate off the Syrian port city of Tartus. AFP
A Maxar Technologies satellite image taken on December 10 shows a Gorshkov-class frigate off the Syrian port city of Tartus. AFP

Satellite photos show Russian navy retreat from Syrian base after Assad's fall


Amr Mostafa
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Live updates: Follow the latest on Syria

Russia appears to have started pulling its forces from its naval base in Syria following the fall of the government of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad at the weekend, satellite imagery suggests.

One image released by US company Maxar Technologies shows the deserted Russian naval base at Tartus in western Syria on December 10.

Another, taken on December 9 by California-based Planet Labs, showed at least three vessels in Russia’s Mediterranean fleet, including two guided missile frigates and an oiler, moored about 13km north-west of Tartus. The rest of the fleet could not be immediately located in satellite imagery.

On Wednesday, the Kremlin said it was in contact with the new Syrian leadership over the status of its bases in the country, adding that it was monitoring the situation due to the importance of its military interests there. “We, of course, are closely monitoring everything that is happening in Syria, and we maintain contacts with those who are currently controlling the situation. This is necessary because our bases are there, our diplomatic missions are there,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Russian facilities and assets were protected under international law.

Syrian rebels seized the capital Damascus on Sunday after a lightning advance that forced Mr Assad to flee to Russia after a 13-year civil war and 54 years of his family's autocratic rule.

After the collapse of Mr Al Assad's government, the Israeli military said on Tuesday its warplanes had conducted more than 480 strikes in 48 hours on targets including anti-aircraft batteries, military airfields, weapons production sites, combat aircraft and missiles. In addition, missile vessels struck the Syrian naval bases of Al Bayda port and Latakia port, where 15 Syrian naval vessels were docked.

Israeli officials said the strikes across Syria were aimed at destroying strategic weapons and military infrastructure to prevent them from being used by rebel groups that drove Mr Al Assad from power, some of which grew from movements linked to Al Qaeda and ISIS and are listed by the US and EU as terrorist organisations.

Moscow, which was a crucial ally of Mr Al Assad's regime for decades, is now looking to make a deal with the rebels to guarantee the safety of two strategically important military bases. The country also granted asylum to the Assad family after they fled Syria. Russia has a major airbase in the coastal city of Latakia and its naval facility at Tartus.

The Tartus base is Russia's only Mediterranean repair and replenishment centre, and Moscow has used Syria as a staging post to fly its military contractors in and out of Africa.

The Russian navy has maintained the base there since 1971 but it had fallen in use after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2012 usage has increased again and it became Russia’s main overseas naval base, according to Naval News, a defence and technology website.

Previously, Russia had five surface ships and one submarine at Tartus, according to an analysis of satellite imagery by BlackSky and Planet Labs.

An image taken on December 5 by US-based BlackSky showed all six vessels at the base. Satellite images from December 9 confirm reports by Russian war blogger Rybar that the warships had left Tartous and taken up position off the coast for security reasons. The fleet departed from the naval base sometime between December 6 and December 9, satellite imagery indicated.

FFP EXPLAINED

What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.

What the rules dictate? 
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.

What are the penalties? 
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.

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How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less

Miguel Cotto world titles:

WBO Light Welterweight champion - 2004-06
WBA Welterweight champion – 2006-08
WBO Welterweight champion – Feb 2009-Nov 2009
WBA Light Middleweight champion – 2010-12
WBC Middleweight champion – 2014-15
WBO Light Middleweight champion – Aug 2017-Dec 2017

TRAP

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Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

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Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

War 2

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

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Scores

New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs 

New Zealand win by 47 runs

Brief scores:

Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37

South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62

Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Updated: December 11, 2024, 3:03 PM