(Zaman Al Wasl)- Syrian air force is hiding its fighter jets in the Russian Hmeimim air base in Latakia province as Trump's administration determined to launch disciplinary air strikes over deadly poison gas attack on Douma town, sources told Zaman al-Wasl.
Sources assured that MiG-29 and Su-24, jets were removed from al-Seen and T4 air bases in Syrian desert to Hmeimim air base on Tuesday. Also MiG-23, Su-22 jets have landed in al-Nayrab and Kuweiris bases.
Russian experts and military personnel were also evacuated from al-Dumary military air base to Damascus.
Said Seif, spokesman for Ahmed la-Abdu Units, said the regime forces had 'emptied' al-Seen (Sayqal) airport that lies n the Eastern Qalamoun region.
A military source said regime forces are on alert amid fears of an imminent U.S. strike, resulted in an immediate deploying for its advanced air defense systems around the capital and near the Republican Palace.
Most advanced air defenses were deployed in Mezzeh military airport. The source said six defense systems were stationed, including Russian Pantsir-S2 defense system which is a combined short to medium range surface-to-air missile and anti- aircraft artillery weapon"
Syrian Air Force backed by Iran and Russia has been working on developing its air defence since shooting down the Israeli F-16 in February.
U.S. officials have consulted with global allies on a possible joint military response to the poison gas attack on the Eastern Ghouta suburb.
President Donald Trump met the country's military leadership Monday night to discuss the U.S. response.
The White Helmets, a civil defense agency, blamed the Syrian regime for the attack in Eastern Ghouta's Douma, which, it said killed 78 civilians and injured hundreds of other victims.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed its fact-finding mission is investigating "to establish whether chemical weapons were used".
The Kremlin said on Wednesday it hoped all sides involved in Syria would avoid doing anything that could destabilize an already fragile situation in the Middle East and made clear it was strongly opposed to a possible U.S. strike on its ally.
The Kremlin said on Wednesday allegations that Syrian regime forces had carried out the chemical weapons attack were not based on real facts and said it wanted an impartial investigation into the incident.
The Daily Beast reported that Russia has been jamming U.S. drones in Syria, blocking GPS signals and causing them to malfunction.
Four U.S. officials told NBC News that the Russians had been crippling American drones for the past few weeks, seriously affecting military operations.
The officials said they believe the Kremlin became concerned the U.S. would retaliate for a series of suspected chemical attacks in the country and began interfering with drones operating over the skies of Syria, jamming blocks or scrambling a drone’s reception of a satellite signal, which can cause them to malfunction or even crash.
Officials said the drones affected so far are small surveillance aircraft, as opposed to larger Predator and Reaper drones that operate in combat environments and can be armed.
AIRLINES WARNED OF STRIKE
European airspace authorities are warning aircraft to be careful over the next days when flying close to Syria because of possible military action against Bashar Assad's forces.
The Eurocontrol airspace organization said that the European Aviation Safety Agency had sent a "Rapid Alert Notification" that flight operations needed to consider the possibility of air or missile strikes into Syria.
In a notice posted to Eurocontrol's website, EASA said: "Due to the possible launch of air strikes into Syria with air-to-ground and/or cruise missiles within the next 72 hours, and the possibility of intermittent disruption of radio navigation equipment, due consideration needs to be taken."
RUSSIA STORES PROHIBITED WEAPONS
Russia has supplied the Syrian regime with high advanced weapons and ammunition, including toxic gases, during its deadly offensive on Eastern Ghouta suburbs, a military source told Zaman al-Wasl Sunday.
The weapons, which had been stored in Al-Dumayr and Al-Seen military airports in March, east of the capital, included (toxic gases, cluster bombs, white phosphorous, Incendiary bombs).
Al-Seen, or Sayqal airport, is the most important airport in Syria and one of the largest military airports in Asia.
Russia has restricted the use of its weapons to special attacks under its command.
More weapons have been transferred since March until now, according to the source, to depots under the supervision of a special technical group responsible for the receipt and storage and loading on aircraft and directly follow to General Bassam Haider, the commander of the Division 20 in Al-Dumayr town. (With Agencies)
Zaman Al Wasl
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