The RF Armed Forces (formerly the USSR) have been occupying the Tartus base since 1971. Syria has been and remains a strategic partner in Central Asia. The number of personnel at the facility initially amounted to 50 people, but since 2016 totals more than 1,700 units. A military facility in the city is used as a logistics point for the Russian Navy.
History of creation
Tartus (Syria) has an advantageous position in Central Asia. On the basis of the RF Armed Forces, ships with combat support located in the Mediterranean Sea can be serviced. The capital of Damascus is an hour away by car, which allows the Russians to keep in touch and provide support to the main forces of the country.
Recent events in the country have prompted the Russian government to additionally deploy aircraft at the Khmeimim airfield. Permanent duty is carried out by warships off the coast of Syria in the Mediterranean Sea. The defense of equipment and personnel is carried out by the battalion tactical group of the Marine Corps.
What is the city famous for?
Tartus (Syria) is a historical city with a huge number of buildings from the time of the Phoenicians. There is the famous Church of Our Lady of Tartus on the island of Arvad. Inside there is an ancient altar, which pilgrims from all over the world are interested in.
The island is located at a distance of 3 kilometers from the coast of the country. The Templars managed to hide on it from Muslims for three years. Now it houses a museum, an Arab castle and the ruins of the Phoenician wall.
Ancient buildings were finalized by Muslims, and later fortified by the Templars. At every step, the city is filled with monuments of a thousand years ago. The famous crusader fortress Markab has been restored and is located nearby.
The purpose of creating a logistics item
The Russian military base in Syria (Tartus) is the only one in the region. Constantly on duty, warships can fulfill command tasks in a timely manner. All the destroyed piers were restored by the joint efforts of friendly countries.
The Russian Navy can use the base for the following purposes:
- Replenish food supplies.
- Carry out ship repairs.
- Take supplies on board.
- Unload objects of strategic importance to carry out military tasks in the military conflicts of the city of Aleppo.
At the invitation of the current President of Syria - Assad - the Russian Navy is guarding stability in the region. The restoration of the base continues to this day, a decision has been made to form a Mediterranean squadron of the Navy. The unit will be there permanently.
Tasks of the Fleet of the Russian Federation
Tartus (Syria), in which the Navy base is of strategic importance, is a historically significant city. In addition, he acts as an outpost in the struggle for world order in the entire eastern region. Maintaining the peace and interests of the country cannot be carried out without the powerful support of the fleet. On board warships are missiles capable of hitting targets within a radius of more than 1,000 km.
Tartus (Syria) can take battle cruisers and aircraft carriers. The latter guard shipping in the Horn of Africa, where Somali pirates constantly attack.
Thus, the city of Tartus (Syria) is quite significant from the point of view of strategy. The Navy base, which is being restored in 2016, has the following tasks:
- anti-terrorist struggle;
- maintaining stability in the marine zone;
- air defense;
- anti-sabotage protection of property of Russia;
- restoration of influence in the political arena.
Middle East Conflict
The Tartus base in Syria helps to pursue the interests of the Russian Federation. The expeditionary corps of the Russian army has long been housed in the cities of the country, waiting for the command of the order to start supporting government forces while the local military cope with the terrorist formations supplied by the West: America, Great Britain - NATO members.
There is no open military confrontation between the powers; everything is decided on the territory of a small state. Russia does not intend to give up the region and will show all its capabilities in order to stop the chaos of the gangs. The task of the troops present is to maintain the current government and to help restore stability in the Middle East.
The Russian military is deployed in the city of Latakia, whose support takes place through the port of Tartus. The positions were strengthened so firmly that a decision was made to restore the shipyard. In the future, the return of the Armed Forces to the positions of the former USSR will be achieved, which is far from being liked by Western colleagues.
Role in geopolitics
Tartus (Syria) on the world map is important in terms of the balance of power in the region. For Russia, the city becomes an assistant in the geopolitical confrontation with the West. In addition to this region, the RF Armed Forces plans to regain its presence in Egypt, Vietnam, and Cuba. These measures will help restore the capabilities of radar reconnaissance.
A return to military cooperation with Syria provides an opportunity to support Iran. Through the territory of Assad is the transportation of military specialists, weapons and material support to Libya, where a Shiite group is being formed.
Through the restoration of its presence in the Middle East, Russia is trying to increase its role in the political arena. After the events in Ukraine, measures to save Bashar al-Assad are more aimed at strengthening their positions. The conflict can grow at any moment in the Third World War, but they try not to think about it.