Syria’s new leadership looks to Moscow for post-conflict partnership

Damascus is aiming to build a renewed and constructive partnership with Moscow, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said during talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

“Our two peoples share historic ties,” al-Shaibani stated during the meeting. “Naturally, a number of factors have complicated these relations over time. But today, we represent a new Syria. We are committed to developing proper cooperation between our countries, grounded in mutual respect and collaboration.”

The Syrian diplomat further emphasised that his country hopes Russia will remain a key partner in supporting Syria’s ongoing reform process.

Tensions in Syria flared once again on July 13, when violent clashes erupted in the southern province of As-Suwayda between Arab tribal militias and local Druze self-defence forces. In response, Syria's Interior and Defence Ministries dispatched special units to the provincial capital to restore order and launched a security sweep.

Around the same time, Israel carried out airstrikes targeting Syrian military convoys, claiming the action was meant to protect the Druze population in the area. Additional Israeli strikes were reported against strategic targets in the capital, Damascus.

On July 19, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced a nationwide ceasefire in As-Suwayda province, citing an internationally mediated peace plan as the basis for halting hostilities.

Moscow expressed serious concern over the renewed escalation in Syria. The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s military actions, characterising them as flagrant violations of Syrian sovereignty and breaches of international law.

During recent phone conversations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored the importance of upholding Syria’s territorial integrity. He also emphasised the need to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of all ethnic and religious communities in order to ensure internal political stability.

Syria has been undergoing profound political changes since late 2024. In November of that year, opposition forces launched a major offensive against Syrian government positions. On December 8, rebels entered Damascus, prompting President Bashar al-Assad to resign and flee the country. His departure cleared the way for Vice President Ahmed al-Sharaa to assume de facto leadership.

On January 29, 2025, al-Sharaa formally declared himself acting president of Syria for a transitional period expected to last between four and five years.

By Tamilla Hasanova