New Syrian authorities open to keeping Russian military bases if it ‘serves Syria’s interests’ — The Washington Post
Syria’s new leadership is open to allowing Russia to keep its military bases in the country if it aligns with national interests, Murhaf Abu Qasra, defense minister in the transitional government, told The Washington Post in an interview published on February 6.
“If we get benefits for Syria out of this, yes,” Abu Qasra said when asked whether Russia would be allowed to keep its bases in the country.
According to the minister, Russia’s stance toward the new Syrian government has “improved significantly” since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024. “[I]n politics, there are no permanent enemies,” said Abu Qasra, who was part of a group that had previously fought against Russian forces.
As The Washington Post notes, Russia may be in a position to offer Syria’s new government something it “wants badly” — Bashar al-Assad. Abu Qasra declined to confirm whether Syrian authorities had asked Moscow to hand over Assad during negotiations but said that holding him accountable was part of the discussions.
“When Bashar al-Assad decided to go to Russia, he thought that it was impossible for us to reach an agreement [with the Russian authorities], Abu Qasra said. “Perhaps relations with [Russia] will be restored in a way that serves Syria’s interests first and then their interests,” he added.
Abu Qasra also stated that the Syrian government is in talks over the status of American and Turkish military bases in the country. According to him, new agreements with Ankara could include a reduction or “redistribution” of Turkish forces in Syria. Meanwhile, the U.S. military presence in the country’s northeast remains “under negotiation,” he added.
