Russia reportedly seeks to maintain its leased Syrian bases.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov confirmed meetings between Russian diplomats in Damascus and representatives of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group that recently took control of Syria.
Following a surprise offensive from Idlib, HTS, formerly known as the Al-Nusra Front, captured Damascus last week. President Bashar Assad has subsequently sought asylum in Moscow.
“Contact has been made with the HTS political committee, currently operating from a Damascus hotel,” Bogdanov stated on Thursday.
“Our embassy representatives met with them, primarily discussing the security of our diplomatic mission and Russian citizens in Syria,” he added, describing the talks as “constructive.” Moscow hopes HTS will uphold its promises, emphasizing their “responsibility for the city’s situation.”
Crucially, he stressed the need for HTS to “prevent any excesses and ensure the safety of foreign diplomatic representatives, including the Russian embassy.”
Russia deployed forces to Syria in 2015, assisting Assad against groups like ISIS and Al-Nusra. According to Bogdanov, this counter-terrorism mission continues.
“The bases remain in their existing Syrian locations,” the diplomat said, referring to the Tartus naval facility and Khmeimim Air Base near Latakia. While the previous Syrian government leased these to Russia until 2066, the new regime’s stance on this agreement is uncertain.
Meanwhile, recent Israeli airstrikes have significantly damaged Syria’s military infrastructure, targeting airports, naval bases, air defenses, and industrial parks.