In a significant development, Britain has reported tracking six Russian naval and merchant ships navigating through the English Channel, laden with ammunition intended for the Syrian Arab Republic. The British defense ministry confirmed that these vessels, monitored closely by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, were retreating from Syria following the ousting of President Bashar Assad, a staunch ally of Moscow, in December.
According to the ministry, this withdrawal marks a notable setback for Russia’s ambitions in the Middle East. “These ships were retreating from Syria after Putin abandoned his ally Assad, yet they were still armed and full of ammunition,” commented Defense Minister John Healey. “This shows Russia is weakened but remains a threat.”
The Kremlin has been systematically evacuating its military assets from Syria since the regime change, demonstrating the impact of the shifting political landscape. Russia is now looking to maintain access to naval and air bases in Syria under the newly established Islamist leadership that emerged after Assad’s departure to Moscow, following a grueling 13-year civil war in which Russian forces had intervened on his behalf.
Britain’s defense ministry emphasized that the withdrawal of ammunition from Syria underscores how Russia’s focus on its ongoing war in Ukraine has strained its ability to support Assad’s regime.
In a related diplomatic move, Russian President Vladimir Putin recently held a phone call with Syria’s interim leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, marking their first communication since Assad’s fall. During the conversation, Putin extended an invitation for Syria’s new foreign minister to visit Moscow and indicated that Russia is prepared to reassess bilateral agreements previously established under Assad’s leadership.
As these developments unfold, the geopolitical landscape in the region continues to shift, raising questions about Russia’s future role in Syria and its broader strategic objectives in the Middle East.
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