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Syria: Why is Russia building its new military in Latakia?

Why has Russia chosen the city of Latakia to build its new military base in Syria and why did it not reconstruct its military base in Tartus?
The following is an Al Arabiya TV report.
The Russians have chosen Latakia for their base due to the Assad regime’s weakness in this province, where as many analysts believed Assad would be placing his Shiite Alawite government in this province.
The Syrian opposition with its large number of forces has taken control over the paths towards the Syrian coastlines form the north, meaning Jibil al-Turkaman and Jibil al-Akrad, and the eastern fronts, meaning Jisr al-Shuqur and Sahl al-Qab.
The Alawite population equals that of the Christians and Sunnis in Tartus. Sources say the Alawite population in Latakia reaches 50%, meaning the Alawites are equal in numbers with the Sunnis in this city.
Back in 1920 and when Syria was under French colonial rule not even one Alawite was found in Latakia. In 1945 the Alawite ratio in this city reached 10%, but in the coming years there was a large and dramatic change in this city, and Hafez Assad strengthened the Alawite population in this area and their percentage reached 50% in 1980.
 


 



 


 


Activists say Hezbollah has attempted to prevent the Syrian opposition from reaching the Syrian coastlines, and also in Akkar they attempted to cut off the communications lines of Sunnis in Syria and Lebanon.
Experts say Russia and Iran have divided what they say will be an Alawite state in the future.
Iran, through Hezbollah and other Shiite militants, is protecting areas in Homs and Damascus, whereas Latakia is of lesser importance for Iran. This is why Russia has assumed responsibility of protecting Latakia and is seeking to strengthen its military forces along this coast line. Moscow is not looking for similar measures in Damascus and Jolan.
Therefore, Russia is seeking to continue controlling its bases in Tartus and at the same time reconstruct the former Soviet-era naval base in the Jibla region located some 35 miles from Latakia. Russia is also strengthening its presence near the southern Turkish border with Syria.

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