Russian cargo plane seen departing Syria for Libya; official says more flights expected

LATAKIA, Syria  – A Russian cargo plane departed from Russia’s air base in the Syrian port city of Latakia for Libya today, a Syrian security official stationed outside the facility says, following rebels’ overthrow of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad last weekend.

The official tells Reuters that additional Russian departures from the Hmeimim air base in Syria’s coastal Latakia province are expected in the coming days.

Increased activity has been observed at the air base throughout the day. In addition to the departing cargo plane, an Ilyushin II-76 cargo plane and an Alligator helicopter have been seen landing at the base.

Helicopters have also been seen flying within the base, and a SU-34 jet landed for refueling. A Zeppelin hovered overhead, and two trucks carrying Russian flags were seen traveling within the base.

Yesterday, satellite images showed Russia moving military equipment at Hmeimim air base, with two Antonov AN-124 cargo planes visible.

Russia, a longstanding ally of Assad, granted the ousted Syrian leader asylum last weekend after helping him to flee his country as the rebels approached Damascus.

Moscow has said it hopes to maintain its two bases in Syria – the Hmeimim air base at Latakia and a naval base in Tartous – in order to keep up efforts against what it called international terrorism.