New satellite images show Russian cargo ships at the key Tartus naval base in Syria, apparently to haul away military equipment

• New satellite images show Russian cargo ships docked at Tartus to haul away military equipment.

• Russia’s presence at the key naval base in Syria fell into uncertainty after the Assad regime ended.

• The images are the latest indication that Moscow is scaling down its footprint in the country.

Newly captured satellite imagery shows Russia appearing to evacuate military equipment from a key naval base in Syria. The images are the latest sign that Moscow is scaling down its footprint in the country.

Imagery captured by Maxar Technologies and obtained by Business Insider shows two Russian-flagged cargo ships, Sparta and Sparta II, docked at the port of Tartus on Saturday after spending weeks idling in the Mediterranean Sea before they were allowed to enter.

Russia’s long-held military presence at Tartus and nearby Hmeimim airbase fell into uncertainty after the sudden collapse of the Assad regime in early December. It was unclear at the time whether the new Syrian government would allow Moscow to keep the two facilities.

The satellite images also show trans-loading operations underway to remove equipment and cargo that Russia had staged at the base. A large number of vehicles could be seen at the base in mid-December and earlier this month. The latest images show a notable decrease in these assets.

Sparta and Sparta II are roll-on/roll-off vessels that can carry wheeled cargo such as vehicles. Both of these ships are sanctioned by the US over their involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Marine tracking data shows they arrived at Tartus last week and that Sparta II has already left the port.

The images are the latest indication that Russia is continuing to scale down its military footprint in Syria after rebel forces ousted Bashar Assad, the country’s longtime dictator, in a stunning offensive during the fall.

Russia long supported Assad in his civil war, but the rebels now control the province where Tartus and Hmeimim are located. The Kremlin had been engaged in efforts to secure the security of the two bases, but the new government reportedly just canceled Moscow’s lease on the port.

Over the past few weeks, satellite imagery has detected signs consistent with a partial or full military withdrawal. At Tartus, Russia emptied out its warships from the port, with some vessels spotted lingering off Syria’s coast. And transport aircraft were seen at Hmeimim packing up critical equipment.

The Pentagon said last month that it had observed Russia consolidating assets in Syria, with some forces leaving the country. Ukraine’s military intelligence agency has said that Moscow is withdrawing from the country.

Tartus and Hmeimim are both strategically valuable to Russia. The naval facility provides crucial access to a warm-water port, and the airbase allows Moscow to shuttle forces in and out of Africa. Losing both sites would be a major setback for Moscow, which allows it to project power across the Middle East and beyond.

Read the original article on Business Insider