Damascus (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) January 27, 2026 – Russian forces have started withdrawing from military bases in northeast Syria controlled by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The pullout follows integration agreements between Damascus and SDF announced earlier this month. Equipment transfer and personnel relocation operations commenced Monday from key positions.
Russian military convoys departed Hmeimim airbase coordinating northeast Syria disengagement. Syrian state media broadcast footage of T-72 tanks and BMP vehicles moving south through Palmyra. SDF spokespersons confirmed Russian notifications regarding base handovers in Hasakah province.
Context of Russian Military Presence Reduction
Russia maintained 5,000 troops across Syria since 2015 intervention supporting Assad regime. Northeast bases established 2019 protected oil fields and monitored SDF activities. Recent Damascus-SDF ceasefire agreements prompted foreign power withdrawals facilitating national unification.
US envoy Tom Barrack mediated 14-point integration deal signed January 18 stipulating SDF merger into Syrian Army. Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed withdrawal aligns Damascus sovereignty restoration. Ceasefire extension announced January 24 provides 15-day implementation window.
Specific Bases Affected by Russian Pullout
Khmeimim command coordinates evacuation from Qamishli airbase housing 300 personnel. Deir ez-Zor airport facilities transfer to Syrian 17th Reserve Division. Tabqa military airfield operations cease with equipment shipped via Tartus port.
Hasakah radar station personnel relocated to Latakia coastal bases. Tiyas airbase ammunition depots emptied supporting southern redeployment. Russian military police units withdraw joint checkpoints established under 2025 Astana agreements.
Syrian Government Statements on Foreign Withdrawals
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa hailed Russian cooperation restoring state authority. Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani confirmed all foreign forces exit northeast territories by February 2026. Defence Ministry announced Syrian Army assumes base security responsibilities immediate effect.
National reconciliation ministry oversees asset inventories preventing looting incidents. State media broadcast handover ceremonies featuring local tribal leaders. Constitutional declaration implementation accelerates post-withdrawal stabilisation.
SDF Confirmation of Russian Military Movements
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi acknowledged Russian base closures facilitate integration process. Kurdish-led administration reported 200 Russian vehicles exited Raqqa province Monday. US military observers verified movements satellite imagery confirming no hostile intent.
SDF civil councils assume vacated facilities pending full administrative transfer. Oil field security transitions to joint Syrian-Kurdish patrols per ceasefire terms. Foreign fighter detention camps maintain current SDF control during transition.
US Position on Russian Disengagement Actions
US Central Command spokesperson noted Russian pullout reduces northeast flashpoints. 900 American troops remain Al Tanf, Kobane positions supporting ISIS defeat operations. State Department welcomes developments advancing March 2025 integration agreement implementation.
Ramstein Contact Group approves weapons handovers conditional Russian withdrawal completion. Pentagon confirms no changes F-16 patrol schedules over reconciliation line. Humanitarian air deliveries continue 200 tonnes weekly assistance.
Turkish Monitoring of Russian Military Relocations
Turkish Defence Ministry satellite imagery tracks Russian convoy routes south. Ankara confirms YPG heavy weapons storage sites unaffected by Russian departure. Syrian National Army maintains positions Manbij outskirts observing developments.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan briefed NATO on Russian pullout security implications. Border observation posts intensify drone surveillance SDF movements post-withdrawal. Refugee return coordination centres prepare 100,000 voluntary returns.
Equipment and Personnel Transfer Logistics
Russian 25th Division transfers 80 T-72 tanks, 120 BMP infantry vehicles to Syrian Army. S-300 air defence batteries dismantled Tartus reloading. Mi-24 attack helicopters ferry personnel coastal bases.
1,200 Russian contractors demobilise via Latakia civilian airport. Technical teams remain six months training Syrian crews on transferred systems. Ammunition stocks valued $200 million integrated national depots.
Economic Impact on Local Syrian Communities
Base closures affect 3,000 local workers employed maintenance contracts. Syrian government pledges continued employment state facilities. Oil revenue sharing agreements allocate 40 per cent reconstruction northeast provinces.
Hasakah cement factory resumes operations supplying base construction materials. Raqqa electric grid stabilises Tabqa Dam full capacity. Deir ez-Zor phosphate mines restart 2 million tonne annual production.
International Reactions to Russian Withdrawal Steps
United Nations Special Representative welcomes de-escalation northeast Syria. Astana guarantors Russia, Turkey, Iran confirm non-interference commitments. European Union allocates €500 million humanitarian assistance transition funding.
League of Arab States ministerial council endorses Damascus integration efforts. Qatar embassy Damascus coordinates $1 billion reconstruction grants. International Crisis Group publishes post-withdrawal security assessment.
Preceding Integration Agreement Provisions
14-point ceasefire signed January 18 mandates Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor handover immediate effect. SDF integration Syrian Army individual basis preserves combat experience. Border crossings, oil fields transfer state control eliminates parallel administration.
Prisoner camps housing 10,000 ISIS fighters managed joint committees. Refugee returns Afrin, Sheikh Maqsoud facilitated UN coordination. Kobani demilitarisation zone established 10km radius monitored satellites.
Russian Strategic Posture Post-Northeast Withdrawal
Hmeimim airbase maintains 2,500 personnel supporting western Syria operations. Tartus naval base expands Black Sea Fleet berthing capacity. Caspian Flotilla patrol boats reinforce eastern Mediterranean presence.
S-400 systems redeploy Palmyra protecting oil infrastructure. Wagner Group remnants integrate Syrian 4th Armoured Division. Joint intelligence centres continue ISIS tracking operations.
SDF Administrative Transition Preparations
Hasakah provincial council elections scheduled March 2026 post-withdrawal. Raqqa civil administration absorbs 2,000 SDF personnel state payroll. Deir ez-Zor tribal reconciliation conferences convene 150 sheikhs weekly.
Water boards integrate national irrigation network preventing summer shortages. Education ministry assumes 1,500 schools northeast curricula unification. Health directorates coordinate vaccination campaigns cross-lines.
Media Coverage of Russian Military Movements
SANA television broadcast live handover ceremonies Qamishli airbase. Al Jazeera bureau Raqqa films Russian convoys southbound highways. Reuters pool coordinates satellite truck access Tabqa facilities.
France 24 interviews local mayors confirming smooth transitions. Social media verification accounts track convoy compositions real-time. Independent monitors document asset inventories preventing discrepancies.
Humanitarian Access Improvements Expected
UNICEF reports 500 schools resume operations post-security transition. World Food Programme increases cross-line convoys 200 trucks daily. ICRC family tracing reunites 3,000 separated families monthly.
Médecins Sans Frontières expands Deir ez-Zor hospital capacity 400 beds. Norwegian Refugee Council shelter programme targets 50,000 families. EU bridge rehabilitation enables heavy equipment movements.
Oil and Energy Infrastructure Handover Status
Al-Omar oil field production stabilises 40,000 barrels daily state marketing. Tabqa power station generates 800 MW national grid integration. Gas separation plants Raqqa resume domestic LPG production.
Pipeline repairs Euphrates crossing completed 90 per cent. Syrian Petroleum Company assumes SDF export contracts Europe. Revenue sharing allocates 30 per cent local development funds.
Border Security Coordination Mechanisms
Rabia crossing upgrades accommodate 500 trucks daily commerce. Al-Waleed facility Iraq joint customs operations commence. Turkish border guards establish liaison offices Qamishli.
Syrian customs academy graduates 200 officers northeast deployment. Interpol red notices integrate SDF watchlists. Biometric border control systems Banias pilot expanded nationwide.
Constitutional and Local Governance Implications
Transitional constitution amendments draft preserve local councils. Provincial governors appointed Damascus pending elections. Judicial integration assigns 50 judges northeast circuits.
Municipal budgets allocate $100 million reconstruction contracts. Land registry offices reopen resolving 200,000 property claims. Women's protection units transition interior ministry oversight.
Reconstruction Funding Pledges Secured
World Bank approves $2 billion loans infrastructure rehabilitation. Gulf Cooperation Council commits $3 billion housing reconstruction. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank finances $1.5 billion power grid.
Kurdish regional development fund receives 20 per cent oil revenues. Private sector contracts target 10,000 jobs construction sector. Public works ministry tenders 500 projects immediate start.