Islamist-led rebels in Syria introduced they’d seized Damascus in a swift offensive on Sunday, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee the nation and bringing an finish to 5 many years of Baath rule in Syria.
President Vladimir Putin, who helped Assad to remain in energy when Moscow intervened in Syria’s civil battle in 2015, has but to touch upon the occasions.
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated Sunday it was “carefully following the dramatic occasions in Syria” and urged everybody “to chorus from utilizing violence and resolve all points by political means.”
“As a results of latest negotiations between B. Assad and a number of other members within the armed battle within the Syrian Arab Republic, he made the choice to resign from the presidency and go away the nation, instructing a peaceable switch of energy,” the ministry stated, including that Moscow was not concerned within the negotiations.
Russia additionally stated that it “is involved with all factions of the Syrian opposition.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia’s place was outlined by the Foreign Ministry.
The Russian Embassy in Syria advised the state-run TASS information company that each one its employees members had been protected following the offensive.
“We are nice,” an embassy employees member advised TASS with out offering extra particulars.
Senator Konstantin Kosachev stated the principle precedence for Moscow is “to make sure the protection” of Russian residents in Syria.
“If the Syrian folks proceed to require our help, it will likely be supplied. However, it’s unlikely to increase to the situations of a full-scale civil battle. Syrians should deal with that on their very own,” Kosachev stated.
“For us, as Russians, the first process is to make sure the protection of our compatriots and civilians, together with diplomats and their households, in addition to, in fact, the navy personnel who’re there for the sake of Syria,” Kosachev stated, additionally referring to personnel at Russian navy bases in Syria.
Russia has two strategically vital navy services in Tartus and Khmeimim that are used as restore hubs and staging posts to switch its navy contractors out and in of Africa.
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated Sunday that “Russian navy bases in Syria are on heightened fight readiness.”
On Saturday Russia held talks with fellow Assad ally Iran and opposition supporter Turkey in Qatar, aimed toward stopping Syria from collapsing into chaos after the rebel offenses.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated Saturday that Syria should not be allowed to fall into the palms of a “terrorist group,” referring to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group that has headed the assault and is rooted within the Syrian department of Al-Qaeda. HTS has sought to melt its picture in recent times however stays proscribed as a “terrorist group” by Western governments.
HTS took Damascus on Sunday.
AFP contributed reporting.
