(Zaman Al Wasl)- Since entering and occupying Syria in September 2015, the Russians have established dozens of military bases, which Syrian forces are prohibited from entering or approaching unless ordered and authorized by them.
These large bases are not limited to Hmeimim and Tartus in Bashar al-Assad’s hometown in coastal region, but also include the establishment of important, large and new bases in various Syrian provinces.
Zaman Al-Wasl has learned that one of the most important of these Russian bases is located west of Damascus, between the Assad Villages (Qura al-Assad) and the new expansion of Qudsaya and Al Saboura town, 16 km (10 miles) west of Damascus, directly opposite the town of Al-Bejaa, known also as Al-Baja in Qatana district, in an area that was formerly a training center of the fourth division.
The region is one of the most expensive areas in Syria, classified as one of the most expensive in the world in terms of real estate prices.
A military source has confirmed that Russia took control of this camp in mid-2018, surrounded by high mounds, and erected a fence of barbed wire, in addition to the barbed wire fence that already exists around that camp.
The source explained that the Russian camp in Al-Bejaa area includes a camp for Russian Special Forces, bases for launching missiles type Uragan BM-27, and bases for launching TOS-1 missiles, also known as "blazing sun."
It also includes a UR-77 mine-clearing vehicle, a command and control headquarters, strategic jamming and listening stations, a maintenance headquarters, as well as anti-aircraft vehicle to protect the base.
The source, who wished to remain anonymous, said the camp was equipped with a football field, gym, swimming pool, restaurant, cinema, entertainment hall and bathrooms. They also provided Zaman al-Wasl with recent pictures of the base, dated September, showing the significant expansion during this year.
They said that the timeframe of the construction of this base, which does not exceed one year, raises the question about Russia’s need to establish such a base after the restoration of order to all areas around Damascus.
Russia-backed regime forces have been pressing an offensive against the region despite a deal with rebel backer Turkey in September last year to protect the area.
Assad, who now controls around 60 percent of the country, has vowed to reclaim the rest, including Idlib.
Eight years of war in Syria have killed 560,000 people and driven half the pre-war population of 22 million from their homes, including more than 6 million as refugees to neighbouring countries.
Zaman Al Wasl
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