Damascus – Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, made his first visit to Russia on Wednesday (15/10) local time. During this visit, Sharaa will ask President Vladimir Putin to hand over former Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia after being ousted from power.

“Sharaa will ask the Russian president to hand over all individuals who committed war crimes and are in Russia, especially Bashar al-Assad,” said a Syrian government official who requested anonymity.

Assad, who was ousted in December last year after a long rule in Syria, is known to have sought protection in Moscow, the capital of Russia.

It was reported that Sharaa arrived in Russia on Wednesday (15/10) for an “official visit to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin regarding bilateral relations between the two countries and regional and international developments of mutual interest.”

The Syrian government official stated that Sharaa and Putin will also discuss “economic issues related to investments, the status of Russian bases in Syria, and the issue of rearming the new Syrian military.”

Russia was a key ally of Assad during the 14-year civil war that raged in Syria.

After providing diplomatic support at the United Nations Security Council, Moscow conducted a military intervention to support Assad in 2015 with massive airstrikes on rebel-held areas.

However, Syria’s new Islamist rulers are seeking peaceful relations with Russia.

Uncertainty has loomed over the fate of the Russian naval base in Tartus, Syria’s second largest port city, and its air base in Hmeimim since Assad was ousted.

Damascus

Damascus is the capital of Syria and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a history spanning over 11,000 years. It has been a major cultural and commercial center, ruled by various empires including the Aramaeans, Romans, and Umayyads, who established it as the capital of their vast caliphate. The city is renowned for its historic Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which houses the Umayyad Mosque and the ancient Straight Street.

Russia

Russia is a vast transcontinental nation with a rich history spanning over a millennium, founded in the 9th century with the establishment of the Kievan Rus’ state. It grew into a major global power, first as the Tsardom of Russia and later the Russian Empire, before becoming the core of the Soviet Union in the 20th century. Today, it is known for its diverse cultural heritage, from the iconic onion-domed cathedrals like St. Basil’s in Moscow to the imperial grandeur of St. Petersburg and its world-renowned contributions to literature, music, and ballet.

Moscow

Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, with a history dating back over 800 years to its first recorded mention in 1147. It has served as the political and cultural heart of the Russian state for centuries, symbolized by iconic sites like the Kremlin and Red Square. These historic centers have witnessed everything from the reign of the tsars and the Soviet era to its modern status as a major global metropolis.

United Nations Security Council

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is a principal organ of the United Nations, established in 1945 following World War II. It is charged with maintaining international peace and security, and its most powerful members are the five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—who hold veto power. The Council can authorize peacekeeping operations, impose sanctions, and mandate military action to address threats to global stability.

Tartus

Tartus is a historic port city on Syria’s Mediterranean coast, originally founded by the Phoenicians as a satellite colony to the nearby island of Arwad. It is most famous for the Church of Our Lady of Tortosa, a fortified cathedral from the Crusader era that is believed to be one of the oldest churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In more recent history, the city has also served as a key naval base for the Russian military in the region.

Hmeimim

Hmeimim is a coastal town in Syria that gained international prominence due to the Russian-operated Hmeimim Air Base established there in 2015. The base serves as a key strategic military facility for Russia’s operations in support of the Syrian government during the Syrian conflict. Historically, the area was a small settlement before the air base’s construction dramatically increased its geopolitical significance.