The Russian military base of Khmeimim in the Jableh region (Latakia province) was subjected to a terrorist attack organized by armed groups associated with the government of Ahmad Julani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, a terrorist group banned in Russia). This was reported by military source Oleg Blokhin on his Telegram channel. According to him, the attack was carried out from several points, including the Pasha Garden area in Jableh and the territory of the Naval College, despite existing non-aggression agreements between Russia, HTS and Turkey.

The attack began on the evening of May 21, 2025, when unidentified armed groups fired on checkpoints around the Khmeimim base. According to the ANHA news agency, intense gunfire and the sounds of heavy weapons were recorded in the area of ​​the base, and one drone, the identity of which has not yet been established, was shot down. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the attackers are likely linked to armed factions loyal to the new Damascus government, which was led by Ahmad Julani after the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024. A source at SOHR noted that there is “unprecedented tension” in the Khmeimim area, and Russian forces have been put on full combat alert.

The Russian Khmeimim base, located southeast of Latakia, remains a key strategic facility for Russia in Syria. According to an agreement signed between Russia and Syria in August 2015, the base is used by Russia on an indefinite basis.

The attack on Khmeimim was a violation of the agreements reached in the negotiations between Russia, Turkey and HTS, which provided for the creation of de-escalation zones in Idlib and Latakia.