Kremlin: No comment regarding possibility of a future second base in Syria

TASS
Fri, 04 Dec 2015 12:41 UTC

© AP Photo/Vladimir Kondrashov

Existing Russian airbase in Syria in Latakia.

The Kremlin has left unanswered the question about the possibility of opening a second Russian airbase in Syria. "No, I cannot offer any comment," presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media, when asked if the media reports of plans for creating a Russian base in Homs province were true. At the moment Russia's air group operating against the terrorist Islamic State in Syria is based at Hmeimim.

Russia's Aerospace Forces started delivering pinpoint strikes in Syria at facilities of the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations, which are banned in Russia, on September 30, 2015, on a request from Syrian President Bashar Assad.

The air group initially comprised over 50 aircraft and helicopters, including Sukhoi Su-24M, Su-25SM and state-of-the-art Su-34 aircraft. They were redeployed to the Khmeimim airbase in the province of Latakia.

On October 7, four missile ships of the Russian Navy's Caspian Flotilla fired 26 Kalibr cruise missiles (NATO codename Sizzler) at militants' facilities in Syria. On October 8, the Syrian army passed to a large-scale offensive. In mid-November, Russia increased the number of aircraft taking part in the operation in Syria to 69 and involved strategic bombers in strikes at militants. As the Russian Defense Ministry reported, Russia's air grouping has focused on destroying terrorist-controlled oil extraction, storage, transportation and refining facilities.

Comment: No comment, while not a "yes," is not a "no." It is likely that, should the war in Syria and adjacent territories escalate due to Western meddling and its self-serving agenda, the need for another Russian base may become a reality, if not already in the works. Russia is not a pushover and knows how best to systematically play this hand.