What's happened
Following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, Russia's military presence in Syria faces significant uncertainty. While Moscow seeks to maintain its bases at Tartus and Hmeimim, the new leadership under Hayat Tahrir al-Sham may not support a long-term Russian military presence. The situation remains fluid as regional dynamics evolve.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, Russian officials believe they have an informal understanding with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham regarding the security of their bases. However, Business Insider UK highlights that the future leadership in Damascus may not tolerate a long-term Russian military presence, indicating a precarious situation for Moscow. The Moscow Times reports that the Kremlin is in dialogue with regional powers, emphasizing the need for security discussions with the new authorities in Syria. This reflects a broader uncertainty about Russia's role in a post-Assad Syria, as the dynamics shift with the rise of new leadership.
How we got here
Bashar al-Assad's regime, supported by Russia and Iran, has been toppled amid ongoing conflict in Syria. Russia's military intervention began in 2015, aiming to stabilize Assad's rule. The recent developments have raised questions about the future of Russian military bases in the country.
More on these topics
-
Bashar Hafez al-Assad is a Syrian politician who has been the President of Syria since 17 July 2000. In addition, he is commander-in-chief of the Syrian Armed Forces and Regional Secretary of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party's branch in Syria.
-
Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon to the southwest, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest.
-
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
-
Dmitry Sergeyevich Peskov is a Russian diplomat, translator and Turkologist. Since 2012, Peskov has been the Press Secretary for the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.
-
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
-
Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian peninsula in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan peninsula in Southeastern Europe.
-
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, officially known as the Islamic State and also known by its Arabic-language acronym Daesh, is a militant group and a former unrecognised proto-state that follows