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Latakia Airport
Latakia International Airport (IATA: LTK, ICAO: OSLK) (Arabic: مطار اللاذقية الدولي, romanized: Maṭār al-Lādhiqīyah al-Duwalī) is an international airport serving Latakia,[1] the principal port city of Syria. Until 2024 the airport was officially known as Bassel Al-Assad International Airport (Arabic: مطار باسل الأسد الدولي), thus named for Bassel al-Assad (1962–1994), son of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and brother of his successor Bashar al-Assad. FacilitiesThe airport is at an elevation of 157 ft (48 m)[1] above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 17/35 with an asphalt surface measuring 2,797 m × 45 m (9,177 ft × 148 ft).[1] Airlines and destinations
Military useAdjacent to the civilian airport buildings is the Russian Khmeimim airbase, the principal Russian airbase being used in the air campaign in Syria since 30 September 2015. The name of the air base Хмеймим has been also transliterated as Hemeimeem Air Base and Hmeymin Air Base.[4] Among the Russian servicemen posted, there were as of early October 2015 around 600 members of the Russian Naval Infantry, whose role is to help provide security for the airbase.[5] Russian military activity at Latakia Airport was revealed by American intelligence officials by early September 2015, with U.S. officials expressing concern.[6][7] An Su-24 shot down by Turkish fighters on 24 November 2015 was said to be on its way back to Khmeimim.[8] The base, operative since 30 September 2015, can handle Antonov An-124 and Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft. It has parking locations[clarification needed] for more than 50 military aircraft including Su-24s, Su-25s, and Su-34s.[citation needed] In addition, the base is home to T-90 tanks, BTR-82 vehicles, artillery and Mi-24 gunship helicopters and Mi-8 support choppers. Air-conditioned accommodations were erected within a few months in 2015.[citation needed] Other new structures include storage facilities, field kitchens, and refueling stations.[citation needed] Supplies are flown in from Russia or shipped via Tartus harbor 50 km away.[citation needed] On 26 November 2015, it was reported that S-400 missile system had been deployed by Russia.[9] References
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