Russian and Syrian Defense Ministers Hold Talks

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov met in Moscow with his Syrian counterpart, Major General Marhaf Abu Qasra, on October 28, Orda.kz reports, citing SANA.

According to Russia's Ministry of Defense, the talks focused on “the practical implementation of promising areas of bilateral cooperation.”

Back in August, Kommersant, a Russian media outlet, claimed Damascus expressed interest in resuming patrols by Russian military police in Syria’s southern provinces. The meeting also follows a series of high-level engagements between Moscow and Damascus. 

On October 22, the Syrian Ministry of Defense reported that Major General Abu Qasra met in Damascus with Colonel Andrey Bedrudinov, the Defense Attaché at the Russian Embassy, accompanied by members of his delegation.

During that meeting, the two sides reviewed issues of mutual interest and discussed ways to enhance coordination and strengthen military cooperation between the two countries. Both parties emphasized the importance of continued consultation and joint efforts to further develop their long-standing partnership.

Senior officers from both defense ministries attended the discussions.

Additionally, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Moscow in mid-October, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and pledged to honor all previously signed agreements between the two nations.

This vow has been interpreted as a signal reaffirming the security of Russia’s two main military bases in Syria.