Syria has 830 foreign military sites. 70% belong to Iran

With its shockingly high number of foreign military bases, it is no surprise why Syria has become an arena for global powers to flex muscles and settle scores

AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pose for a photo before a trilateral meeting on Syria in Tehran on July 19, 2022.

Syria has 830 foreign military sites. 70% belong to Iran

Al Majalla - London

last update on 19 Aug 2023

This article examines maps that illustrate the distribution of foreign military bases within Syria. The analysis includes the international coalition under the leadership of the United States, as well as Russian, Turkish, Iranian, and Hezbollah forces.

The report utilised maps prepared by the Syrian Jusoor for Studies Centre, which provided a clear delineation of the geographical positions of military bases belonging to different foreign actors engaged in direct military activities within Syria.

Breakdown of foreign military sites

By the end of the first half of 2022, the number of foreign military bases and locations had reached a total of 830 sites, distributed as follows:

Iran: 570
Turkey: 125
Russia: 105
US-led coalition: 30

The breakdown of US-led coalition sites by location is as follows:

Al-Hasakah: 17
Deir ez-Zor: 9
Raqqa: 1
Rural Damascus: 1
Homs: 1
Aleppo: 1

The deployment of the international coalition in eastern Syria has hindered the ability of Russia and Iran to expand its presence there. Notably, there is a discernible Israeli presence through its persistent air strikes on Iranian bases within Syrian territory.

Agreements among different foreign powers aim to prevent direct confrontations and establish a framework for their interactions.

Iran and Russia increase their presence

A recent analysis of Syria's foreign military sites map reveals a notable increase in bases and locations for all foreign actors except Turkey and the United States, which have maintained consistent numbers of sites in unchanged positions.

The Russian military presence has slightly expanded, while Iran has seen a significant surge in both site numbers and geographical coverage, especially in the first half of 2022. This signifies the largest foreign power presence in Syria's history, underscoring the magnitude of external influence and the diminished role of Syrians in shaping their country's fate.

This signifies the largest foreign power presence in Syria's history, underscoring the magnitude of external influence and the diminished role of Syrians in shaping their country's fate.

The conflict in Syria, which began in 2011 following extensive anti-regime demonstrations, saw various states providing assistance to the government and opposing factions.

The foreign intervention involved political, military, and operational support for the parties engaged in the conflict, accompanied by active foreign engagement. Most participating parties received different types of support, including military, logistical, and diplomatic aid from foreign entities and nations.

Turkish presence

Turkey currently maintains a total of 125 military sites within Syria, encompassing both bases and strategic presence points. These sites are distributed across 5 provinces as follows:

Aleppo: 57
Idlib: 51
Raqqa: 10
Al-Hasakah: 4
Latakia: 2
Hama: 1

Diana Estefana Rubio

According to military experts, the strategic arrangement of Turkish military sites and bases follows a defensive configuration, thereby impeding the advancement of Syrian government forces into regions under opposition control.

Under the terms of the agreement, Turkey was granted the opportunity to extend the deployment of its military points across buffer zones that were designated as de-escalation areas, a consensus reached between Turkey and Russia.

In 2019, Russia and Turkey came to an agreement at the Russian Sochi Summit. This agreement subsequently resulted in the establishment of Turkish bases within the de-escalation zone situated along the Damascus-Aleppo highway, as well as in proximity to certain locations of conflict between the Syrian army and opposition groups.

In November 2017, Turkey began establishing observation posts in the Idlib region, in accordance with an agreement brokered with Russia and Iran in September 2017 in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

Under the agreement, Turkey could not deploy its military personnel and establish these observation posts without the consent of the dominant faction on the ground, namely Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham. In this context, Turkish officers joined fighters from the aforementioned group during reconnaissance operations to prepare for the establishment of these posts.

While precise figures on the Turkish military presence in Syria remain elusive, it is generally estimated to be around 10,000 personnel. Notably, Turkey exercises direct control over the Afrin region and has successfully established a military corridor along its border in that area.

Iranian presence

The Jusoor Institute — a Syrian think tank — has meticulously documented the distribution of Iranian military forces across various provinces in Syria, identifying a total of 570 Iranian military sites.

Diana Estefana Rubio

These headquarters play a pivotal role in decision-making for military operations in Syria, involving the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated militias. The numbers highlight that the dispersion of these forces grants them significant influence and authority, often surpassing that of the regime's own forces.

Operational militias with ties to Iran in Syria include Lebanese Hezbollah, Afghan Liwa Fatemiyoun, Iraqi Al-Nujaba Movement, and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq. These military installations are spread across Syrian cities and provinces, spanning Aleppo, Rural Damascus, Homs, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Hama, Idlib, Quneitra, Latakia, Raqqa, Suwayda, Al-Hasakah, Damascus, and Tartus.

The Jusoor map prominently displays major sites where entities aligned with the IRGC are present, along with areas where these forces collaborate, particularly with Lebanese Hezbollah.

Operational militias with ties to Iran in Syria include Lebanese Hezbollah, Afghan Liwa Fatemiyoun, Iraqi Al-Nujaba Movement, and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq.

The map is supported by an extensive database containing comprehensive information about these sites. This includes details about size, assigned tasks, personnel numbers, and equipment inventory.

Additionally, the research centre has monitored the geographic locations occupied by Hezbollah and its affiliated forces within Syria, with a significant concentration observed in the Qalamoun region in Rural Damascus and along the Syrian-Lebanese border.

American presence

The US-led international coalition in Syria, established in mid-2014 under the directive of former US President Barack Obama and involving nations like France and Britain, operates from a total of 30 military sites.

Diana Estefana Rubio

Formed primarily to counter the expansion of the Islamic State (IS) these coalition-affiliated military bases are strategically located across various Syrian regions, including Rural Damascus, Aleppo, Raqqa, Homs, Deir ez-Zor, and Al-Hasakah.

Over the past four years, the US-led international coalition, in collaboration with local allies, has effectively liberated the last territories held by IS — notably in the Baghuz region of Syria. This achievement represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to decisively defeat this terrorist organisation.

The official website of the US Department of State commends the bravery of individuals who engaged in intense confrontations against IS, acknowledging the sacrifices they have endured to prevent its resurgence.

In recognition of their dedication and with the overarching goal of promoting regional stability and security, the international coalition remains committed to implementing crucial measures. These efforts include neutralising key leaders within IS during active engagements, facilitating the repatriation of extremist fighters and their families, and contributing to the establishment of stability in liberated areas.

These coordinated initiatives encompass joint military operations in Syria, conducted in cooperation with local coalition allies, most notably the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Russian presence

According to Jusoor for Studies, the count of Russian military sites within Syria totals 105 sites. These sites are strategically dispersed across various regions, including Hama, Al-Hasakah, Latakia, Aleppo, Idlib, Deir ez-Zor, Suwayda, Homs, Raqqa, Rural Damascus, Dara'a, Damascus, Tartus, and Quneitra.

Diana Estefana Rubio

Russia maintains two primary military bases in Syria. The foremost is the Hmeimim Air Base situated in Latakia, initially designed for vertical take-off and landing operations. Moscow began using this base for military operations in 2015.

Russia maintains two primary military bases in Syria. The foremost is the Hmeimim Air Base in Latakia. The second-most important facility is its base in Tartus, serving as its exclusive Mediterranean Sea naval base.

It's noteworthy that the utilisation of this facility wasn't explicitly outlined within the agreement reached with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The second-most important facility is the Tartus Naval Base, serving as Russia's exclusive Mediterranean Sea naval base. Moscow resumed its utilisation based on an agreement signed in 2017. This agreement aimed to reinforce Russia's aerial and maritime military presence within Syrian territories.

In a March interview with Russian media, al-Assad stated that "increasing the number of Russian military bases in Syrian territory might be necessary in the future because Russia's presence in Syria is linked to the global balance of power."

He elaborated, emphasising that the perspective on military bases should not be confined to counter-terrorism efforts, which are temporary. Instead, he highlighted the importance of Russia's ongoing presence in Syria to maintain an international balance of power.

+ / -