Syria’s new transitional government is reportedly seeking the return of Russian military patrols to its southern provinces in a strategic bid to curb escalating Israeli army operations in the region. The request was a central theme during the first high-level Syrian ministerial visit to Moscow since the ouster of the Assad regime, signalling a significant deepening of ties between Damascus and its long-standing ally as the new administration works to stabilize the country and reassert state authority.
According to a report by the Syrian Observer, Damascus claims Israeli activity has intensified in recent months under the pretext of creating a buffer zone and “protecting the Druze.” An anonymous source present at a recent meeting in Moscow between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and members of the Syrian community confirmed that President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s administration is keen to see Russian military police resume their former positions in the south. The source added that Damascus believes Moscow could play a pivotal role in managing the volatile relationship between Syria and Israel.
The diplomatic push was formalized on July 31, when Foreign Minister al-Shibani and Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra met with their Russian counterparts, Sergey Lavrov and Andrey Belousov. During the talks, Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to strengthening relations based on mutual respect, praising President Sharaa’s initiatives to overcome the country’s long-standing crisis. The Russian foreign minister also reiterated calls for the immediate lifting of international sanctions on Syria and confirmed that both governments had agreed to review all existing bilateral agreements.
Minister al-Shibani declared that Syria was “now open to the world” and was actively seeking partnerships based on equality and mutual interest. He described the dialogue with Russia as a “strategic step” for Syria’s future. He announced the formation of a special committee to reassess bilateral agreements, ensuring they align with the needs of Syrians during the upcoming reconstruction phase. Directly addressing the security situation, al-Shibani accused Israel of exacerbating regional tensions through repeated strikes on Syrian territory, actions he stated only serve to destabilize the country.
Underscoring the new government’s focus on internal stability, al-Shibani warned that armed groups operating outside of state control would lead to chaos, citing recent unrest in Suweida as an example. He stressed that only the state can guarantee civilian security. This position aligns with tangible signs of growing cooperation on the ground, such as a recent Russian military patrol in Qamishli—the first since the fall of the previous regime. According to the Russian daily Kommersant, the patrol was conducted solely by Russian forces, a notable departure from the last joint operations with other factions. An Israeli source told the newspaper that Tel Aviv’s reaction to renewed Russian activity would depend on existing agreements between Russia and Israel.
Photo: The Source