**Syria Asks Russia to Hand Over Ousted Leader, But Moscow Refuses**
In a surprising move, Syrian authorities have requested that Russia extradite ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad, but were turned down. This revelation was made by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in an interview with the New York Times published on April 23.
**A New Era for Syria?**
After Assad’s surprise ousting in December 2024, al-Sharaa took office as interim president in January. The sudden leadership change has sparked doubts about Russia’s military presence in Syria, particularly at the Tartus naval base and Khmeimim air base. Al-Sharaa, a former Al Qaeda affiliate who led the rebel offensive that toppled Assad, seemed to hint at the possibility of continued military cooperation with Moscow.
**A Dependence on Russian Arms**
The Syrian leader emphasized the country’s long-standing reliance on Russian arms, which are primarily made in Russia. “Until now, we have not had offers from other nations to replace Syrian arms,” al-Sharaa told the NYT. He also highlighted past agreements between Moscow and Damascus on food and energy cooperation.
**A Request Denied**
Al-Sharaa acknowledged that Russia was asked to hand over Assad as a condition for continued military presence in Syria. However, this request was denied by Moscow. The implications of this decision are unclear, but it may signal a shift in the dynamics of Russo-Syrian relations.
**A New Era of Diplomacy?**
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Russia’s role in Syria, al-Sharaa has sought to foster new international ties. This has led to the easing of sanctions imposed by the US and EU on the country. In fact, the Syrian government recently announced that it had received its first shipment of wheat since Assad’s fall – a move seen as significant given the country’s ravaged economy.
**Ukraine Opens Dialogue**
In another development, Ukraine has opened dialogue with the new Syrian government. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha visited Damascus in December 2024, stating that Kyiv and Damascus share similar views on Russia’s continued military presence in Syria.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the ousting of Assad has sparked a new era of diplomacy in Syria. How this will play out remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the stakes are high for all parties involved.
