A high-level Syrian military delegation visited Moscow on Thursday, as both sides seek to improve ties following Russia’s long-standing support for the former Assad regime in Damascus.
The delegation is led by Major General Ali al-Naasan, Syria’s Chief of Staff. The Syrian defence ministry shared photos of Naasan arriving in Moscow.
Russia's Defence Ministry said talks would focus on strengthening military and security cooperation between the two countries.
The visit comes ahead of an expected trip by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to Moscow later this month, where he will participate in the first Russian-Arab summit and hold talks with Russian leaders.
In early September, Damascus hosted a bilateral meeting between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, covering a wide range of cooperation areas.
That meeting followed an earlier visit to Moscow in late July, when a Syrian ministerial delegation led by Shaibani met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
It marked the first visit by a top Syrian official since Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December 2024 by an Islamist-led rebel offensive, ending the Assad family’s six-decade rule.
Russia – along with Iran and its militia alllies – had propped up Assad politically and militarily throughout Syria’s 14-year conflict, which began in 2011 following the brutal suppression of anti-Assad protests.
Over 500,000 people were killed, mostly by regime and Russian bombardment of civilian areas.
Following the December 2024 rebel offensive, Assad and his family fled to Moscow and are still reportedly residing there. There have been calls in Syria for Russia to extradite the former dictator so he can face trial for war crimes.
Russia still maintains two military bases in Syria’s Alawite-majority coastal region – the Hmeimim airbase and the Tartus naval base.
Negotiations between Syria’s new leadership and Moscow have largely focused on the future of these bases, which remains uncertain.
Turkey, the United States, and Israel also maintain a military presence in different parts of Syria.
Since Sharaa’s government took power, Syria has seen outbreaks of sectarian violence.
Clashes and massacres in the northwestern coastal region and in the Suweida governorate – the heartland of the Druze minority – have left thousands dead and wounded this year, with many more reported missing.
Forces affiliated with the current government are accused of serious human rights violations, including summary executions of civilians.
The government has said it will arrest and punish those responsible for violations but this has yet to materialise.