As the front lines draw closer, Russia has started withdrawing its ships from the naval base in Tartus.

Axar.az reports that this information was provided by "Naval News."

One of these vessels was noted departing Tartus on the morning of December 2 2024, with information suggesting that some or all of the other vessels also left.

This unexpected move comes several days into a sudden change in the situation in Syria’s ongoing civil war. The Assad regime, of which Russia is a key ally, is now on the back foot. Opposition forces are rapidly advancing towards the capital.

Although unconfirmed, this ship movement is considered likely to be directly related to the situation on the ground.