Russian Airbase in Syria Comes Under Attack

Hmeimim, the Russian airbase in Syria, and the naval base at Tartus (the coastal city of Syria), came under simultaneous drone attack on Saturday, January 6th. Out of around 13 drones 6 were shot and 3 were brought down intact, by the Russian advanced air defence.

The U.S. is trying to blame the ISIS or some “rebels” for this attack. It is important to note that this attack was by far more sophisticated drones than the ones used by ISIS in the past. ISIS has used short range weaponised drones flown by remote control in line of sight mode. This attack was done by autonomous drones using GPS and barometric sensors to find their way to their targets.

The U.S. is clearly still trying to harm the progress made by the Syrian government and its allies, while it seems to have given up on the regime change in the country.

Forty-eight hours after the attack, on the 8th of January, Russian Defence Ministry from Moscow, brought out a statement, making two main points:

• During the hours of darkness Russian air defense facilities made clear 13 remoted unknown small-sized air targets approaching the Russian military assets. Ten combat UAVs were approaching Russia’s Hmeymim air base and three more — the logistics center of Tartus.
• Engineering solutions used by terrorists when attacking Russian facilities in Syria could have been received only from a country with high technological potential on providing satellite navigation and distant control of firing competently assembled self-made explosive devices in appointed place. (TASS)

The attack happened on the Christmas Day of Russian Orthodox Church. The statement from Moscow points out to the country with “high technological potential”, which mainly could indicate two countries - the United States and Israel. Interestingly, America came out suo moto with a pre-emptive statement. They blamed the “Syrian rebels”.

It is important to note that the Russian bases are located in the Latakia province along the Mediterranean coast. The U.S. wants to gain access to the Mediterranean coast for the Kurdistan enclave it is creating in Syria. Without gaining access to this region the enclave will be landlocked and dependent critically on supply routes via Turkey or Iraq. Gaining access to the Mediterranean coast would be economically viable for the U.S. It clearly doesn’t harm that this is also the oil-rich region of Syria.

For more details on the attack, read following reports:

Syria - Army Gains In Idleb - Insurgents To Challenge Foreign Occupiers

US, Israel step up hybrid war in Syria