MOSCOW, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- It is still too early to talk about Russia's military bases in Syria as it will be a subject for discussions with future Syrian authorities, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Monday.
Peskov said Russia is taking all necessary precautions to ensure the security of its bases in Syria.
Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militants have gained full control of the Latakia province where the Russian bases are stationed, the TASS news agency reported Monday, citing local sources.
The militants have not penetrated Russia's Tartus and Hmeimim bases in the area, and the bases continue to operate normally, said the sources.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly resigned and arrived in Russia for asylum as his government collapsed on Sunday following a sweeping offensive by militant groups led by the HTS. The groups waged a major offensive from northern Syria on Nov. 27, and have since swept southwards through government-held areas, capturing the capital Damascus within 12 days. ■
