Russia Relocates 50 Syrian Refugees from Hmeimim Airbase to Perm Region
By Kardo Roj
LATAKIA, Syria (North Press) – Fifty Syrian refugees were transported from the Russian-operated Hmeimim Airbase in Latakia, Syria, to the Perm region of Russia on Monday, as escalating tensions in western Syria force increasing numbers of civilians to seek safety through non-traditional evacuation channels.
According to Russian state agency RIA Novosti, the group—comprising families and individuals displaced by recent conflict near Syria’s Mediterranean coast—was flown out as part of a relocation initiative overseen by the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations and coordinated through the local Perm branch of the ruling United Russia party.
While exact details remain sparse, local sources report that hundreds of civilians of Syria’s coast, fearing reprisals or instability, have sought refuge at Hmeimim, a long-standing Russian military stronghold in Syria.
Authorities in Perm announced the establishment of a temporary accommodation center for the newcomers, outfitted with basic necessities including food, medical assistance, and psychological support. Plans are reportedly underway to assist refugees in securing employment and enrolling their children in local educational institutions.
“The refugees will receive all necessary aid during their stay,” a statement from United Russia read on Telegram. “We will work closely with local agencies to ensure a dignified and stable life for these citizens.”
Russia has positioned itself as both a military stakeholder and humanitarian actor in Syria since entering the conflict in 2015. While its operations have largely supported Damascus-aligned forces in the west, Moscow has maintained cooperation with actors across Syria’s fragmented political landscape, including ongoing communication with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeast.
Though the group of 50 represents a small fraction of Syria’s estimated 6.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), their evacuation underscores the persistence of insecurity in regime-held territories.
In contrast, northeast Syria—under the governance of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and protected by the SDF—has witnessed relative stability despite economic hardship and the continued threat of Islamic State (ISIS) sleeper cells and Turkish-backed incursions.
The AANES has implemented inclusive governance structures and continues to cooperate with international humanitarian organizations to manage IDP camps and refugee flows. The SDF’s counterterrorism operations, particularly in Deir ez-Zor and Hasakah, remain pivotal in preventing wider destabilization and mitigating extremist resurgence.