Syrian jihadist commander talks about what's next with Russia
HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani shares insights on the future of Syria's relations with Moscow. Read the full article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Russia’s Khmeimim and Tartus bases, leased until 2066, continue to operate in Syria.
The head of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadist group, Abu Mohammed al-Julani, stated that a relationship between Syria and Russia is possible if Moscow is willing to pursue it. In an interview on Saturday with Istanbul-based Syria TV, Al-Julani noted that “Syrian leadership was keen to avoid provoking Russia.”
The situation in Syria worsened over a two-week period in November when militants led by HTS launched an offensive against the Syrian military, seizing major cities and advancing toward Damascus. After the Syrian military's collapse, Assad fled the country and sought asylum in Russia.
Al-Julani further asserted that the new Syrian government is open to allowing Russia “the opportunity to re-evaluate the relationship with Syria in a way that serves common interests.” He stressed the importance of “careful management” of relations with other countries at this critical moment.
Currently, Moscow and the Syrian militants are reportedly engaged in discussions concerning “maintaining Russia’s presence in Syria, and its previous status,” according to sources familiar with the negotiations cited by TASS. The agency reported on Friday that Moscow “has secured temporary security guarantees, so the military bases are operating as usual.”
The Khmeimim Air Base and a logistical support center in Tartus are situated in the western region of the country along the Mediterranean coastline. In 2017, Moscow and Damascus entered into an agreement for Russian troops to be stationed at these bases for a duration of 49 years.
Following the takeover of Damascus by militant groups, the future of the Khmeimim and Tartus bases was uncertain. However, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov indicated that Russian diplomats have already addressed these concerns with the HTS political committee.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
The head of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadist group, Abu Mohammed al-Julani, stated that a relationship between Syria and Russia is possible if Moscow is willing to pursue it. In an interview on Saturday with Istanbul-based Syria TV, Al-Julani noted that “Syrian leadership was keen to avoid provoking Russia.”
The situation in Syria worsened over a two-week period in November when militants led by HTS launched an offensive against the Syrian military, seizing major cities and advancing toward Damascus. After the Syrian military's collapse, Assad fled the country and sought asylum in Russia.
Al-Julani further asserted that the new Syrian government is open to allowing Russia “the opportunity to re-evaluate the relationship with Syria in a way that serves common interests.” He stressed the importance of “careful management” of relations with other countries at this critical moment.
Currently, Moscow and the Syrian militants are reportedly engaged in discussions concerning “maintaining Russia’s presence in Syria, and its previous status,” according to sources familiar with the negotiations cited by TASS. The agency reported on Friday that Moscow “has secured temporary security guarantees, so the military bases are operating as usual.”
The Khmeimim Air Base and a logistical support center in Tartus are situated in the western region of the country along the Mediterranean coastline. In 2017, Moscow and Damascus entered into an agreement for Russian troops to be stationed at these bases for a duration of 49 years.
Following the takeover of Damascus by militant groups, the future of the Khmeimim and Tartus bases was uncertain. However, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov indicated that Russian diplomats have already addressed these concerns with the HTS political committee.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
