DAMASCUS: A Russian delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, has arrived in Syria for the first time since Moscow’s ally Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December last year, Russia’s TASS state news agency reported on Tuesday.
Alexander Lavrentyev, special presidential envoy for Syria is also part of the Russia delegation.
The delegation is expected to hold talks with Syria’s new leadership. Al-Assad fled Syria after his forces abandoned tanks and other equipment in the face of an alliance of opposition groups led by HTS.
The collapse of Assad’s rule on December 8 stunned the world and sparked celebrations around Syria and beyond after his crackdown on protests in 2011 led to civil war.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to media that Bashar al-Assad was given asylum in Russia as he fled lightning, saying the decision was made personally by President Vladimir Putin.
Following Assad’s downfall, Moscow is now focused on securing the future of its strategic military assets in the country.
Earlier, Mikhail Bogdanov said Russia hoped to maintain its two bases in Syria — a naval base in Tartous and the Hmeimim base near the port city of Latakia.
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The Tartous facility is Russia’s only Mediterranean repair and replenishment hub, serving as a crucial node for Russian military logistics.
But Syria’s new administration cancelled a contract with Russian firm STG Stroytransgaz to manage and operate the Tartous port this month. The contract was signed under Assad.
The new ruler of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has said the country is exhausted by war and is not a threat to its neighbours or the West.
During an interview with Al Arabiya television channel, Ahmad al-Sharaa said that he wants relations with Iran and Russia, but insisted any ties must be based on mutual “respect.”
