Russia confirms ongoing ties with Syrian government led by HTS leaders

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that it is maintaining working relations with the new Syrian government, in which senior leadership positions are held by representatives of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

 “At this stage, it is premature to publicly comment on specific issues that are still being discussed behind closed doors,” the Russian ministry's press service stated, Caliber.Az reports.

However, the department stressed that "Russia is open to constructive dialogue – both with the new Syrian government and with representatives of all political forces in the country."

To recall, on December 21, Syria's interim government has appointed Murhaf Abu Qasra, a prominent figure in the insurgency that overthrew Bashar al-Assad, as its new defence minister, according to official sources. 

Abu Qasra, also known by his nom de guerre Abu Hassan 600, is a senior leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which spearheaded the offensive that ousted Assad earlier this month. He has played a key role in various military operations throughout Syria's revolution.

During a meeting with armed factions, Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, discussed the future structure of the country’s military. Photos from state news agency SANA showed Abu Qasra seated next to Sharaa, who is also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani.

Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir, who once led the HTS-affiliated administration in Idlib, revealed plans to restructure the defence ministry, incorporating former rebel fighters and defected officers from Assad's forces.

On the same day, the General Command appointed Asaad Hassan al-Shibani as foreign minister. Shibani, 37, who had previously headed the political department in Idlib's rebel administration, will oversee the country's foreign relations. Sharaa, who led forces that captured Damascus on December 8, has expressed a commitment to reconstruction and economic development, avoiding further conflict.

By Aghakazim Guliyev