Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikahir Bogdanov told state media on Thursday that Russia had “direct contact” with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the al-Qaeda splinter group that overthrew Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad last weekend. spoke.
Russia hopes to persuade Syria's new rulers to allow it to keep the country's air and naval bases.
Bogdanov said Talks with HTS are “progressing in a constructive manner”, with particular focus on combating a possible resurgence of Islamic State. He said HTS believes it is wise to allow Russia to maintain bases in Syria to help crush ISIS.
“The bases that were on Syrian territory are still there. No other decisions have been taken at this time,” Bogdanov told Russian state media reporters.
“They were there at the request of the Syrian people for the purpose of fighting Islamic State terrorists. I think we all agree that the fight against terrorism and the fight against the remnants of ISIS is not over yet. We are proceeding with our work based on the idea that we will do so.”
Mr. Bogdanov is Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for the Middle East and Africa. said Russian embassy officials are meeting with HTS representatives at a hotel in Damascus. He said the top priority of these meetings was “to ensure the safety of our diplomatic mission and the Russian people who are on Syrian soil today.”
“In essence, this exchange is constructive and we look forward to the fulfillment of all commitments made by representatives of these groups, peoples and forces responsible for the situation in the city,” he said. said.
Russian Ministry of Defense official said Bloomberg News on Friday said the Russian government “believes it has an informal agreement” with rebels to maintain control of Russian bases, but that “the situation is changing amid instability in Syria.” may still change.”
“Western officials familiar with the exchanges said the international community had informally expressed an interest in maintaining the status quo for now, as Russian bases could serve as a deterrent to a resurgence of extremism at home. ” Bloomberg added.
Russia is Two important locations What appeared to be under threat after Assad's fall were the naval base in Tartus, which gives Russia access to the Mediterranean Sea, and the airfield in Hmeimim, which has supported Russian military operations in Africa. Assad regime in Syria.
Given that Russian support was essential to keeping Assad in power during the Syrian civil war that began in 2011, the Russian government is confident that jihadist rebels who hate Assad will not look favorably on Russian bases. There was reason to be concerned. Russia also helped Assad evacuate after his army collapsed before a lightning rebel attack, giving him support such as: evacuation In Moscow.
Satellite images suggested most of the Russian ships and planes abandoned both bases after Damascus fell into the hands of the rebels on sunday.
