Damascus May Expel Russian Troops from Strategic Qamishli Base

The Syrian government is preparing to formally request the withdrawal of Russian forces from the Qamishli military airbase, located in the country’s northeast near the Turkish border, according to sources cited by The Moscow Times and Kommersant on January 21.

The airbase has been a key operational site for the Russian military during its involvement in the Syrian conflict.

However, recent developments on the ground—namely, the entry of Syrian government forces into areas previously held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)—have reportedly shifted the political and military calculus.

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A source familiar with the matter told Kommersant that the question of Russia’s military presence will be raised after Hasakah province, where the airbase is located, is officially brought back under full control of Damascus.

“I believe the Russians will be asked to leave Qamishli completely. There is no longer any justification for their presence,” the source said.

The same source noted that the United States has also scaled back its military mission in northeastern Syria, reducing support for the Kurdish forces amid broader regional shifts.

Earlier, it was reported that dozens of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles supplied by Russia to Syria over the past decade have been deemed unnecessary by the country’s new government.

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