Russia has confirmed it is in direct communication with the Syrian rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), as it aims to preserve its military presence in Syria. The announcement came from Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, who described the ongoing talks as “constructive.”
According to Russian state media outlet Interfax, Mr. Bogdanov expressed optimism that HTS would uphold its commitments to maintain security and ensure the safety of diplomats and foreign personnel in the region. “The bases are still there, where they were on Syrian territory,” Bogdanov stated. “No other decisions have been made for the moment. They were there at the Syrians’ request to combat terrorists from the Islamic State.”
Russia operates two critical military bases in Syria: the Tartous Naval Base and the Khemimim Air Base near Latakia. These bases were established to support Syria in its fight against the remnants of the Islamic State (IS). Bogdanov reiterated that while IS has been significantly weakened, the fight against terrorism in the region is far from over.
HTS, once known as the Nusra Front and previously affiliated with al-Qaeda, is considered a terrorist organization by several Western nations. Despite its militant background, the UK government recently hinted at the possibility of delisting HTS from its roster of banned terrorist groups. This development has further opened the door for dialogue with Russia and other international entities.
The news of Russia’s engagement with HTS coincides with ongoing US efforts to secure the release of American citizens detained in Syria. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently confirmed that the US is working to bring home a citizen who was discovered in Syria last Thursday. Although Blinken withheld specific details for privacy reasons, the individual, Travis Timmerman, 29, has since shared his story with the media.
Timmerman, who claims he was on a Christian pilgrimage, was detained after crossing into Syria from Lebanon in June. He spent seven months in a notorious detention facility known as the Palestine Branch, operated by Syrian intelligence services. His mother, Stacey Collins, had feared the worst, saying, “I didn’t want to give up on my son.”
Timmerman described his release as a “blessing” and revealed that he was freed by “liberators.” He also stated that he was not mistreated during his captivity.
In addition to Timmerman’s case, the US continues to search for Austin Tice, a former US Marine and journalist abducted in Syria over a decade ago. Tice was kidnapped in August 2012 near Damascus, and US President Joe Biden recently affirmed that the government believes Tice is still alive. Efforts to secure his freedom remain ongoing.
As the situation in Syria continues to evolve, Russia’s strategy to maintain influence through its military bases and diplomatic channels underscores the complex nature of the region’s conflicts. The dialogue with HTS marks a significant shift, potentially influencing Syria’s future stability and international relations.
