Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, personally made the decision to grant asylum to ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. Peskov emphasized that the Russian president decided to grant asylum to Assad and his family, but there are no plans yet for a meeting between the two.
The Kremlin does not disclose Assad’s location, stating that it is not obliged to do so, but confirmed that Putin decided to grant asylum to Assad and his family.
“Of course, this is a very important issue. We currently have nothing to say about Mr. Assad’s location,” said Peskov.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously stated that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, after negotiations with several participants in the Syrian conflict, decided to resign from his position and leave Syria, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power, and that Russia was not involved in the negotiations.
The security of Russian military bases in Syria is a very important issue, stressed the Kremlin spokesperson.
Moscow is also in dialogue with Ankara, considering that Turkey is the second major player regarding Syria.
“After the stabilization of the situation in Syria, Russia plans to seriously discuss with the new authorities of the country the future presence of the Russian military on its territory,” said Peskov.
“What has happened in Syria has probably surprised the whole world. In this case, we are no exception,” Peskov said.
When asked whether Russia will maintain its military presence in Syria and whether this is being discussed with the current authorities of the country, the Kremlin spokesperson emphasized that it is too early to talk about this.
“We see that the country is currently going through a period of transformation and great instability. Therefore, it will, of course, take time and serious discussions with those who will be in power,” Peskov noted.
According to him, Russian soldiers in Syria are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the security of military bases in the country, and this is a very important issue.
PROČITAJTE VIŠE:
Deployed Warships
A senior Russian official has threatened a strong response in the event of an attack on Russian military bases in Syria, Interfax reports.
The same source stated that the security of the bases is fully guaranteed.
Moscow, a strategic ally of Assad’s regime, has the strategically important Hmeimim airbase in Syria’s Latakia province and a naval facility in Tartus.
Sources told Russian media that the Kremlin has reached an agreement with Syrian rebel leaders to guarantee the security of its bases.
However, “Ribar,” a Russian military blogger close to the country’s Ministry of Defense, revealed the following:
“Russia’s military presence in the Middle East region hangs by a thread. What someone decided at the highest political levels is absolutely irrelevant on the ground. Russian warships have left Tartus and taken positions at sea for security reasons,” the blogger added.
His profile, which has over 1.3 million followers on Telegram, also mentions that the Hmeimim airbase has been “cut off” after rebels took control of a nearby town.
His claims have not been confirmed.
A video has appeared on social media suggesting that Russian military vehicles are leaving a base in Syria.
Russian armored vehicles leave a base in #Kobani to #Qamishli in #NE_Syria. pic.twitter.com/2b8Y4ERJbh
— NORTH PRESS AGENCY – ENGLISH (@NPA_English) December 9, 2024
Kartapolov: No threats to Russian military bases
Andrei Kartapolov, Chairman of the Defense Committee of the Russian State Duma, stated today that there are no threats to Russian military bases and contingents in Syria.
“There are no cut-off military units, everyone is where they should be according to the command’s decisions, and they are fulfilling their tasks,” Kartapolov said, according to Interfax.
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Source: B92, Photo: Reuters