First Russian warplane lands in Syria’s Qamishli International Airport

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A Russian warplane landed two days ago, in Qamishli International Airport, northeast Syria, less than 100 km from US military base in the same area, military sources told Lebanese al-Akhbar newspaper.

The first squadron of Russian warplanes to permanently stay in Qamishli comprised four warplanes increasable in number depending on its technical readiness, the sources added to al-Akhbar.

The warplanes will join the Russian helicopters base and the Russian Air force System already existing in the vicinity of Qamishli International Airport, according to the newspaper.

“The Russian Air Forces started extending Qamishli International Airport with the purpose to be a new Russian air force military base and the second largest Russian base inside Syria after the Khmeimim air base in Latakia city, on Syria’s coast.”

Russia tries to maintain its presence in the area. Therefore, it makes use of the strategic geographical location of Qamishli city which borders Turkey from the north and Iraq from the east, the sources noted. 

Russia is arranging for the stage post the US forces-withdrawal through creating military infrastructure able to cover the space the US troops leaving and perform the tasks the US forces used to do, the sources stressed to al-Akhbar.

The sources denied to the Lebanese newspaper that Russia is likely preparing for any conflict with Turkey that is threatening a new military action against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).