Russia’s Only Overseas Naval Base At Stake In Syria After Assad’s Fall, Putin Seeks Erdogan’s Help?

Russia’s warships are missing from its base in Syria a day after rebels ousted President Bashar al-Assad, new satellite imagery shows. In satellite images from earlier this month, several warships can be seen docked at the Russian naval base in Tartus, on the Mediterranean Sea. However, in a photo taken on Dec. 9, the Russian warships are all gone, raising questions about the future of Russia’s military presence in Syria.Moscow supported Assad in his civil war, which ended after rebel forces toppled his regime in a rapid offensive. An intelligence analyst familiar with the satellite imagery said that the five Russian vessels had left the base by Dec. 9. Russia’s defense ministry has not confirmed any major force posture change. Ukraine’s military intelligence agency said on Dec. 9 that Moscow had withdrawn its warships from Tartus and was airlifting weaponry out of the Khmeimim base. n18oc_world n18oc_crux0:00 INTRODUCTION2:12 HOW HAS KREMLIN REACTED ?3:18 WHY LOSS OF SYRIAN NAVAL BASE WOULD BE A BLOW TO RUSSIA5:28 RUSSIA SEEKS HELP TO EVACUATE ITS FORCES FROM SYRIA?