Shar’a seeks new agreements during visit to Moscow
Political processes in Syria have revived once again. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
The country’s interim president Ahmad ash-Shar’a made an official visit to Moscow on October 15. It is emphasized that this visit could give new meaning to the relations between Moscow and Damascus.
During the meeting, Shar’a informed Russian President Vladimir Putin that all agreements signed by the former regime in Syria would be preserved. It was also stated that the issue of withdrawing Russian troops from the military bases in Tartus and Khmeimim would not be raised.
These bases are considered important logistical centers for Russia’s strategic points in the Middle East and its operations in Africa. According to sources, during the negotiations, Shar’a requested the extradition of Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia after being overthrown in 2024.
An official arrest warrant has been issued for him in Syria. The Kremlin did not comment on this matter, responding that “there is nothing to report in this context.”
Bashar al-Assad was previously Russia’s main ally. Moscow kept him in power during the civil war in 2011.
In December 2024, Russia granted him asylum on the condition that he cease political activities. Currently, the Assad family resides in Moscow and owns 18 apartments.
According to information, they have deposited at least 250 million dollars in cash from Syria into Russian banks. Bashar al-Assad’s wife Asma and their children Hofiz, Zayn, and Karim also live in Russia.
Hofiz graduated from Moscow State University and defended his candidacy dissertation shortly before his father was removed from power. Bashar al-Assad’s brother Mohir Assad also resides in Moscow.
He previously led the Fourth Armored Division, an elite unit of the Syrian army. Later, his name was mentioned as the head of a state narcotics cartel controlling the production and sale of drugs.
According to other sources, Bashar al-Assad spends much of his time in Moscow playing video games. His brother Mohir lives in the Four Seasons hotel and spends his time drinking tea.
According to The New York Times, after the fall of the Assad regime, about 1,200 former Syrian military officers moved to Russia. They mostly belong to the Alawite sect and include figures such as Syrian Defense Minister Ali Ayoub, his deputy Ali Abbas, and military intelligence chief Kamal al-Hassan.
These individuals are accused of crimes related to shelling cities and using chemical weapons during the civil war. Former heads of the National Security Bureau of Assad’s Baath Party, Ali Mamluk and Kifo Malham, also live in Russia.
Mohir Assad and other officers are also held responsible for the massacre in the city of Daraa in 2012, where over 700 civilians were killed within five days.
Another person currently living in Moscow is Suhail al-Hassan, who led Assad’s special forces and is said to have participated in chemical attacks in Idlib and Aleppo. Experts believe that Russia is now trying to improve relations with Syria’s new leadership, but the political legacy left by the Assad regime remains a major problem for the country’s future.
