Center S
Center C | |
---|---|
Near Al-Harra in Syria | |
Type | Main Intelligence Directorate Signals Station |
Site information | |
Owner | Ministry of Defence |
Operator | GRU General Security Directorate |
Site history | |
In use | since before 2006, until 2014 |
Battles/wars | Syrian Civil War |
Garrison information | |
Garrison | Russian GRU |
"Center S" ("Центр С" in Cyrillic script) was a secret, joint, Russian–Syrian signals intelligence 'spy' post near Al-Harra in southwestern Syria close to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.[1]
Presumably existing since before 2006, it was run over by Free Syrian Army rebels on 5 October 2014 during the Daraa offensive (October 2014).[1][2]
Site and purpose
The Center was on the peak of Tel Al-Hara Mountain, adjacent to the town of Al-Harra in the western part of the al-Sanamayn District of the Daraa Governorate, near the Quneitra Governorate. The Center was operated on a joint Russian-Syrian basis, with Syrian Intelligence and Russian GRU monitoring signals intelligence from Syrian rebels, as well as the Israeli military.[2][3][4]
Downfall
On October 5, 2014 the Center was overrun by rebels affiliated with the Free Syrian Army in the Daraa offensive. All Russian personnel had been evacuated, along with the more sensitive equipment.[5][6]
Other centers
At least two other Russian intelligence centers are assumed to be located inside Syria.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Captured Russian spy facility reveals the extent of Russian aid to the Assad regime". spioenkop. 6 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
- ^ a b c "Russian spy base in Syria used to monitor rebels and Israel seized". Telegraph.co.uk. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ^ "Syrian Rebels Seize Russian Spy Station Near Israeli Border". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ^ "Russian spying from Syria: Why and for whom?". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ^ "Secret Russian spy base in Syria seized by Western-backed rebels". intelNews.org. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ^ "Russia commanded spy operation against Israeli forces and Syria rebels, footage shows". Haaretz.com. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2015.