Over 1,300 civilians have reportedly been killed amid a resurgence of fighting in the war-torn nation
Hundreds of civilians have taken refuge at Russia’s Khmeimim airbase in western Syria, seeking safety from violent clashes that erupted last week, several videos obtained by RT show.
According to the footage, hundreds of displaced people, including women and children, are sheltering inside buildings and in open areas.
More than 1,300 people were killed in Syria in the three days up to and including Sunday, with at least 973 civilians among them, according to news reports. The country’s coastal region, home to a majority belonging to the Alawite sect, has been gripped by violence since Wednesday after an armed rebellion broke out, in which groups described in Western media as loyal to former President Bashar Assad clashed with militias allied with the new Syrian government.
Earlier on Monday, the country’s Defense Ministry announced the completion of a “military operation,” Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper wrote, citing defense ministry spokesperson Hassan Abdul Ghany.
As the fighting escalated, civilians were allowed to enter Khmeimim base. According to RT sources, the Russian military has set up tents, a field kitchen, and a medical center.
Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, AKA Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, blamed pro-Assad factions backed by foreign allies for inciting the violence. He promised to punish those responsible, including his own allies if necessary, in an interview with Reuters published on Monday. “We fought to defend the oppressed, and we won’t accept that any blood be shed unjustly, or goes without punishment or accountability, even among those closest to us,” al-Sharaa added.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow is concerned about the surge in violence in Syria, but declined to comment on claims that civilians had sought shelter at the Russian military facility.
Despite granting Assad asylum after his government was overthrown in December, Russia has maintained diplomatic engagement with Syria’s new leadership, especially with Khmeimim Air Base and a logistical support center in Tartus still operating. Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated support for Syria’s territorial integrity and provided military and economic aid as the country continues its transitional period.
Commenting on relations with Russia during the same Reuters interview on Monday, al-Sharaa said that the new authorities “do not want a rift with Russia,” but neither do they want “its presence in Syria to pose a threat to any country.”
