The New York Times reports that hundreds of civilians have sought refuge at a Russian air base on Syria’s coast due to violent clashes and a crackdown by government-aligned fighters. Satellite imagery shows civilians sheltering in a compound shared by the Russian air base in Hmeimim and Latakia International Airport. Videos from the weekend showed a large crowd of people outside the base chanting for international protection, with images of hundreds of cars parked on roads inside the base. Violence erupted last week between fighters affiliated with Syria’s new government and those loyal to the ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad, with over 1,300 people killed. The interim president has announced plans to form a fact-finding committee to investigate the violence, and there are fears of a renewed sectarian conflict. Many refugees who had returned to Syria are now trying to leave again, with over 6,000 people fleeing to northern Lebanon in recent days.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/world/europe/civilians-shelter-russian-air-base-syria.html