INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Syrias new federal government is open to allowing Russia to keep its strategic military bases in the country after the ouster of Kremlin
ally Bashar al-Assad, Defense MinisterMurhaf Abu Qasra told The Washington Post on Thursday.Russias long time ally Assad was toppled in a
shock rebel offensive in December, bringing the future of Moscows Tartus Naval Base and Khmeimim Air Base into question.According toAbu
Qasra, Syria would consider allowing Moscow to keep the bases as long as the deal served Damascus interests.If we get advantages for Syria
out of this, yes, he said.The declaration marks a significant shift in the position of Syrias new leadership who till recently had been
under Russian barrage towards Moscow.Russias stance toward the brand-new Syrian government, too, has enhanced significantly since Assads
topple in December, Abu Qasra informed The Washington Post.In politics, there are no long-term enemies, Abu Qasra stated of Russia.Syrias
new leadership in January gotten in touch with Moscow to address past errors throughout talks with visiting Russian officials.Syrian media
reportedthat month that the nations brand-new federal government had actually ended a treaty granting Russia a long-term naval existence at
the port of Tartus.The Tartus Naval Base and Khmeimim Air Base, Russias only military bases outside the previous Soviet Union, are key to
Moscows activities in Africa and the Middle East.Russian President Vladimir Putin, who purchased military intervention in Syria in 2015 to
bolster Assads regime throughout the countrys civil war, has actually looked for to downplay the fall of Assad
Putin declared that Russia had accomplished its goals in Syria in spite of the regime change.
