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Shoigu: Russia Starts Forming Permanent Groups in Syria’s Tartus, Hmeimim Bases

Shoigu: Russia Starts Forming Permanent Groups in Syria’s Tartus, Hmeimim Bases
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Russia started forming a permanent group in Syria's Tartus and Hmeimim, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said during a conference call.

Shoigu: Russia Starts Forming Permanent Groups in Syria’s Tartus, Hmeimim Bases

"Last week, the supreme commander-in-chief approved the structure and staff of the main bases in Tartus and Hmeimim. We've started forming a permanent group there," Shoigu said.

The statement follows Russian President Vladimir Putin's surprise visit to the Hmeimim airbase on December 11, and his order to start the withdrawal of the main part of Russian troop contingents in the region back to their permanent location, with the bases in Hmeimim and Tartus maintaining their operation.

The minister went on to say that the Russian armed forces are equipped with modern weapons at 59.5%, while the serviceability of weapons is at 94%.

The anti-aircraft defense of the Hmeimim airbase is ensured by the cutting edge S-400 system, while S-300 surface-to-air missile systems and the Bastion coastal missile systems with cruise missiles cover the Russian Navy base in Tartus.

In his previous statements, Shoigu specified that the Russian military contingent had already begun the pullout from Syria, noting, however, that the timetable of the withdrawal would be determined by the situation on the ground.

Russia began a two-year long military campaign in Syria in late September 2015 at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to fight Daesh [the Arabic acronym for terrorist ‘ISIS/ISIL' group], resulting in the clearing out of more than 90 percent of Daesh-held territories, including the ancient city of Palmyra, and killing of over 54,000 terrorists.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

 

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