Source: Reuters citing the Syrian agency Sana and its own Syrian source
Quote: "A Syrian source familiar with the negotiations informed Reuters that the new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has requested Moscow to hand over the former President of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia after being overthrown by Sharaa's rebels in December.
The Syrian news agency Sana reported that Damascus also wants Russia, which supported Assad during the civil war, to restore trust through 'concrete measures such as compensation, reconstruction, and rehabilitation.'
Details: Reuters notes that when asked to confirm whether they requested Russia to return Assad and provide compensation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment.
Russia, whose troops and air forces have supported Assad against Syrian rebels for years, aims to maintain its naval base in Tartus and the Hmeimim airbase near the port city of Latakia.
The loss of these facilities would severely impact its ability to project power in the region.
Background:
- After the fall of Bashar Assad's regime, there is uncertainty regarding Russia's future presence in the eastern Mediterranean.