“Reuters”: Syrians Return to Their Areas After Seeking Refuge at Hmeimim Base Following Recent Events

The Syrian coast has witnessed the return of some residents to their villages after they had taken refuge at the Russian Hmeimim Air Base in Latakia, following recent developments. Reuters reported that some of them returned in response to reassurances from their relatives about the stability of the security situation.

A Syrian woman explained that she and her family sought refuge at Hmeimim Base after being forced to leave their home in the village of Al-Sanawbar in Jableh countryside due to sudden gunfire. After moving around within their village, they, along with other residents, headed to the Russian base. She confirmed that she returned to her village on Thursday after her brother assured her that calm had been restored and government forces were deployed. However, she noted that many people inside the base remain hesitant to return due to fears of renewed violence.

During a visit by Reuters journalists accompanied by government security forces, burned houses, looted shops, and nearly abandoned villages were observed. One resident stated that he had found the bodies of his brother and nephew in one of the houses, refusing to reveal his identity.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova had previously announced that Hmeimim Base had received around 9,000 coastal residents, most of whom were women and children, seeking safety amid tensions in their areas. This followed the Syrian authorities’ announcement of a large-scale security campaign targeting elements affiliated with the former regime, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,500 civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Source: Reuters + RT