Damascus is eager to restore “proper” ties with Moscow, jeopardized following last year’s ouster of former President Bashar Assad
Syria is seeking Russia’s support in its efforts to restore unity in the country after continued outbreaks of sectarian violence, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has said during a visit to Moscow.
The situation in Syria has remained volatile since the ouster of longtime President Bashar Assad by a coalition led by Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) late last year. Assad, a close ally of Moscow, was replaced by HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. Despite the removal of Assad, who along with his family received political asylum in Moscow, Russia has pledged to continue supporting Syria.
Speaking alongside his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Thursday, al-Shaibani acknowledged Syria is facing “challenges and threats” but described it as “an opportunity to build a united, strong Syria.”
“Relations between the Russian and Syrian peoples are of a historical nature,” he said, as cited by TASS. “Today we are representing a new Syria… We are currently working to ensure the reunification of the people in Syria. And, of course, we are interested in Russia being there with us on this path.”
He added that Damascus is “interested in establishing proper interaction and relations” with Russia “based on cooperation and mutual respect.”
Lavrov said Moscow is closely following Syria’s transition and will assist Damascus in stabilizing the country.
“We sincerely wish that the Syrian people, with whom we have long-standing friendship, cope with the challenges and fully normalize the situation,” he stated. He also expressed hope that Syrian President al-Sharaa will attend the upcoming Russia-Arab League summit in October.
Syria remains deeply fractured by sectarian tensions and armed groups. Since Assad’s ouster, Islamist factions have reportedly targeted minority communities, including Alawites, Christians, and Druze. Earlier this month, clashes erupted between Druze militias, Bedouin tribes, and government forces in Sweida province. Complicating matters is Israel, self-styled protector of the Druze, which after Assad’s fall invaded the buffer zone near the occupied Golan Heights, claiming it was to block hostile actors from its borders. Earlier this month it resumed airstrikes on Syria, including attacks on the Defense Ministry in Damascus.
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