Russia made huge financial and military investments to prop up the Assad regime during the long and brutal civil war that began in 2011. With help from Russia and Iran, Assad seemed to have won the conflict and secured his seat of power in Damascus — only to be suddenly ousted by a lightning-fast rebel offensive in December. The surprising rout was made possible because Russia and Iran were weakened and distracted by their wars in Ukraine and Gaza, respectively.
The new Syrian government resents the Russians for supporting Assad and for granting him luxurious exile after the dictator fled with a substantial portion of the Syrian treasury tucked in his pockets. The rebels made it clear that Russia had good reasons to worry about the fate of the strategically vital air and sea bases it had established in Syria under Assad. Shaibani said his visit to Russia was intended to mend fences and secure “mutual respect” between the two governments.
“The current period is full of various challenges and threats, but it is also an opportunity to build a united and strong Syria. And, of course, we are interested in having Russia by our side on this path,” he said. “We are willing to provide what is possible for economic recovery. We hope they will make progress in the coming period,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov responded after meeting with his Syrian counterpart. (Read More)
