Syrian forces establish checkpoints near Russian base amid operations against Assad regime loyalists

Syrian security forces, under the country’s new government, have intensified military operations in the coastal region following the expiration of a deadline for former Assad regime officers and soldiers to surrender their weapons. A security source told Al Jazeera that checkpoints have been established around the Russian Hmeimim military base in Latakia governorate. Russia, a key supporter of the deposed Assad regime, maintains its largest air base in Syria there, heavily guarded by troops, fighter jets, and helicopters, under a long-term presence agreement signed in 2015. Security forces claim the base harbours Assad loyalists and demand Russia’s withdrawal, citing years of conflict and civilian casualties. Balancing relations with Russia, as proposed by Ahmad al-Sharaa’s government, remains a significant challenge. Meanwhile, locals, deeply affected by the war, view Russian forces as occupiers and insist they must leave. Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid reports from the Hmeimim base in Latakia. Subscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile #Syria #Russia #RussianMilitaryPresenceInSyria #HmeimimAirBase #RussianForcesInSyria #SyriaWar #SyriaAfterAssad #Latakia #Tartous #AlAssadLoyalists #SyrianFighters #HTS #SyrianArmy #SyriaSecurity #AlJazeeraEnglish