Egypt Daily News – Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, confirmed on Wednesday that Russian facilities and assets in Syria are protected according to the standards of international law.
Zakharova urged all parties in Syria to adopt a responsible approach to restore security and stability as quickly as possible. Russia has a major air base in Latakia Governorate and a naval base in Tartus, which is its only repair and maintenance center in the Mediterranean.
In addition, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned of a real danger represented by the possibility of the return of ISIS to “rear its head” again in Syria, according to what was reported by the Russian Information Agency.
He had previously announced that he wanted “the situation to stabilize as quickly as possible” in Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. He condemned the strikes carried out by Israel in the country, and the entry of its forces into the buffer zone in the Golan Heights.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said during a press conference: “We would like the situation in the country to stabilize as soon as possible, one way or another,” adding that “the strikes and movements in the Golan Heights and the buffer zone do not contribute to that.”
In response to a question about whether Russia’s influence in the Middle East had weakened due to the fall of Assad, Peskov said: “The military operation in Ukraine has priority,” according to the Reuters news agency.
The Kremlin also confirmed, on Wednesday, that Russia is communicating with the new authorities in Syria regarding Moscow’s military presence and diplomatic representation. Peskov said: “We remain in contact with those who control the situation in Syria. Because we have a (military) base there, and a diplomatic mission. “Questions regarding the safety of these facilities are extremely important.”
