Garrison Russian GRU | Battles/wars Syrian Civil War | |
Type Main Intelligence Directorate Signals Station Operator GRUGeneral Security Directorate In use since before 2006, until 2014 | ||
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.
Contents
Presumably existing since before 2006, it was run over by Free Syrian Army rebels on 5 October 2014 during the Daraa offensive (October 2014).
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 the OSNAZ unit of the Russian GRU monitoring signals intelligence from Syrian rebels, as well as the Israel Defense Forces.
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.
Other centers
At least two other Russian intelligence centers are assumed to be located inside Syria.