INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Unknown drones attacked a Russian-controlled air base in Syria overnight, Iran-linked media reported early Tuesday, as Moscow looks for to
preserve its military presence following the ouster of its closest ally in the region.Anti-aircraft weapons inside the Russian-controlled
Hmeimim air base in Syria are intercepting unknown drones flying over the Russian base, wrote Sabereen News, a media outlet associated with
Iran-backed militias in Iraq.A 17-second video accompanying that report showed three surges in the range, followed by the sounds of air
defense systems shooting into the sky.It was not immediately possible to confirm the video.Sabereen News is known for spreading
disinformation for numerous functions, consisting of discrediting Iraqi authorities and spreading out anti-U.S
sentiment.Oleg Blokhin, a pro-war blogger who has previously reported on the Russian armed forces operations in Syria, claimed without proof
that the attack was performed by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which presently holds power in Syria.Blokhin said the drone attack
on Hmeimim began around 2:30 a.m
regional time and lasted more than an hour
He claimed Russias Pantsir missile system warded off the strike.Neither Russian nor Syrian authorities have verified the reports.Moscow is
looking for to protect its military installations in Syria, including its naval base in Tartus and air base in Hmeimim both located on
Syrias Mediterranean coast and Russias only military bases outside the former Soviet Union under the nations new leadership.Russian
President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone last week with Syrias interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, for the first time because he took power in
December.Moscow is close to reaching an arrangement with the new Syrian federal government to enable some staff and equipment to stay in the
country, Bloomberg reported Monday, mentioning anonymous sources familiar with the matter
The report did not define whether Russia would maintain control of Hmeimim and Tartus.Last month, Syrian media reported that the new
leadership had actually ended a treaty granting Russia a long-term military existence in Tartus.Moscow intervened in Syrias war in 2015,
introducing airstrikes that assisted keep Bashar al-Assad in power
When rebels swept into Damascus in December, Russia approved Assad asylum, outraging many Syrians, including the nations new rulers.AFP
