Moscow Forges Relations with New Syrian Rulers

Strategic Insights -

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Moscow this week to meet with Vladimir Putin, marking the first time the two leaders have met since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The talks highlight Moscow's efforts to maintain its influence in Syria by establishing relations with the new ruling powers in Damascus. Despite their previous differences, both sides have taken a pragmatic approach to their interactions, with Sharaa indicating that Russia would be allowed to retain its military bases in Syria. The visit comes as Russia tries to strengthen its position in the region, having previously maintained a military foothold through its support of Assad's regime.

Key Takeaways:

  • The meeting between Sharaa and Putin underscores Moscow's efforts to maintain its influence in Syria, despite the loss of its ally Assad.
  • Sharaa has indicated that Russia will be allowed to retain its military bases in Syria, including the Tartus facility and the Khmeimim airbase.
  • Russia has continued to supply Syria with oil, grain, and other vital resources at discounted prices.
  • Sharaa's visit to Moscow marks an effort to diversify his alliances and project a more moderate image, as he seeks to balance his relations with Turkey and other regional powers.
  • The Russians have remained committed to maintaining their military presence in Syria, despite the changing dynamics in the region.
  • The meeting between Sharaa and Putin marked the first time the two leaders had met since Assad's fall in Syria.
  • Russia's military intervention in Syria's civil war in 2015 helped keep Assad's regime in power, but at a high cost to the Syrian people.
  • A 2020 UN investigation found that Russia was directly involved in war crimes for indiscriminate bombing of civilian targets, including medical facilities.
  • Russia's two main military bases in Syria, Tartus and Khmeimim, hold significant importance to Russia's strategic interests.

Sources:**

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  • Alexander Zemlianichenko/Reuters
  • Reuters
  • Die Zeit
  • The Guardian
  • United Nations

Statistics:

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  • 2015: Russia launched a military intervention in Syria's civil war to support Bashar al-Assad.
  • 2020: A UN investigation found that Russia was directly involved in war crimes for indiscriminate bombing of civilian targets, including medical facilities.
  • 2021: The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan after being designated as a terrorist organisation by the US in 2003.

Release date: March 2023. The narrative summary paragraph has been written following the original news article from 2023.

Sharaa said in the Kremlin, the visiting location stated in the original.