Russian Deputy Defense Minister Discusses Development of Military Cooperation in Damascus
The Russian military delegation, headed by Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, held talks in Damascus days after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s recent visit to Moscow and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and several Russian officials last January. Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani also participated in these talks.
The Syrian Ministry of Defense stated on its official Telegram channel that the talks focused on developing and strengthening military cooperation in service of both countries’ interests. The Ministry indicated that the Russian military delegation’s visit will continue for several days.
Media sources previously mentioned that the following issues are expected to be discussed during the current talks:
1) The status of Russian military bases in Hmeimim and Tartus.
2) The status of the Russian military base at Qamishli Airport.
3) Syria’s request to deploy a Russian force in southwestern Syria (between 5,000 and 10,000 soldiers) to halt Israeli incursions into Syrian territory.
4) Technical military cooperation (ammunition supplies and maintenance of military equipment).
5) Use of Syrian airspace.
Last November, Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra received a Russian military delegation headed by Yevkurov in Damascus. During the meeting, both sides discussed areas of military cooperation and strengthening coordination mechanisms, in line with the shared interests and aspirations of both countries.
On October 28 last year, the Syrian Defense Minister held talks in Moscow with his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov, during which they discussed supporting bilateral relations, exchanging experiences in personnel training, and a number of other topics.
Syrian Chief of the General Staff, First Lieutenant General Ali Nour al-Din al-Naasan, also held talks in Moscow last October regarding the development of coordination mechanisms between the defense ministries of both countries.
Additionally, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has made two official visits to Russia since assuming office.
Moreover, this visit is the 14th to have occurred between the two countries since the fall of the previous regime, amid growing talk of strengthening communication between both sides.
Russian forces remain stationed at two military bases in the governorates of Tartus and Latakia in western Syria on the Mediterranean coast.
Earlier, the Syrian Foreign Minister stated that “Syrian cooperation with Russia did not begin during Bashar al-Assad’s era and will not end under the new government.”
Meanwhile, the Syrian President himself indicated in a press interview that he was in contact with the Russian military leadership during his forces’ advance toward Damascus.
