Syria open to keeping Russian bases – WaPo

The country’s new defense minister has told the outlet that Moscow’s continued military presence is negotiable if it benefits Damascus

Syria is open to allowing Russia maintain its air and naval bases on the country's Mediterranean coast, provided that any agreement serves the interests of Damascus, Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra has told The Washington Post. While relations with Moscow were adversarial in the past, the new government in Damascus is adopting a pragmatic approach, he added.

In 2015 Russia intervened in Syria's civil war to support then-President Bashar Assad’s government against militant rebel forces. Two years later the two countries signed a 49-year lease extension covering Russia's use of the Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia and a logistical support center in Tartus, both on the Mediterranean coast.

Following Assad’s departure to Russia in December amid a rebel offensive led by Hayat Tahrir-al-Sham (HTS) militants, insurgents assumed leadership roles in Syria’s new government. Abu Qasra, once a key figure in the rebellion, now serves as defense minister under Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the leader of HTS.

In an interview with the Washington Post published on Thursday, Abu Qasra stated that Syria is considering allowing Russia to retain the bases. “If we get benefits for Syria out of this, yes,” the minister told the outlet.

He noted that Russia’s attitude towards the new Syrian government has “significantly improved” since the fall of Assad, adding that Damascus is currently weighing Moscow’s demands.

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Abu Qasra has also hinted at the possibility of seeking the extradition of Assad, who fled to Russia when his government collapsed, noting that the topic was discussed during recent meetings with Russian officials.

Last month, a Russian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov traveled to Damascus to engage in talks with Syria’s new leadership. Officials there have requested to be compensated in exchange for allowing Russia to maintain its bases, and Moscow has indicated that the matter is open to negotiation. Bogdanov has acknowledged that further discussions are necessary before any agreement can be finalized.

Beyond its relationship with Russia, Syria’s new government is undertaking significant military reforms. Abu Qasra reported that approximately 100 armed factions have agreed to integrate under the Defense Ministry’s command, though some groups remain resistant. The government is also negotiating with US-backed Kurdish forces and discussing the status of US and Turkish military bases within Syria.