Russia foils plot to attack airbase in Syria

"Illegal armed groups launched another attack on the Hmeymim air base in Latakia province on May 2," Major General Viktor Kupchishin, head of the Russian Reconciliation Center in Syria, said on May 3. A day earlier, rebels also used multiple rocket launchers to attempt an attack on the base.

According to General Kupchishin, in April, the rebels tried to attack the Hmeymim base a total of 12 times using multiple rocket launchers and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). However, all of these attacks were stopped by Russian defense forces.

In March, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel group had planned to attack Hmeymim with UAVs. However, the plot was thwarted by the Russian Air Force with airstrikes targeting the warehouse where the UAVs were stored.

Russia began its military campaign in Syria in late September 2015. With the support of the Russian air force, the Syrian army has liberated most of the territory from Islamic rebel groups over the past two years.

Despite partially withdrawing its forces from Syria, Russia still maintains a long-term presence at two bases, Tartus port and Hmeymim Airport, to carry out international missions in the future.

Nguyen Hoang