The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday that Defense Minister Andrey Belousov held an official meeting in Moscow with his Syrian counterpart, Lieutenant General Eng. Marhaf Abu Qasra, to discuss ways of strengthening military and defense cooperation between the two countries. According to the statement, both sides reviewed practical mechanisms to expand promising areas of bilateral collaboration in order to serve the shared strategic interests of Russia and Syria.
The Syrian Ministry of Defense’s media office confirmed that Minister Abu Qasra, heading a high-ranking military delegation, arrived in the Russian capital to meet his Russian counterpart. The talks covered a wide range of issues, including joint defense initiatives, technical cooperation, military training, and counterterrorism efforts, as well as the rehabilitation and modernization of Syrian armed forces. The statement added that the discussions took place in a friendly and constructive atmosphere, reflecting the depth of the historical relations between Moscow and Damascus and the mutual desire to strengthen their military partnership in the coming period.
This visit follows that of Syrian President Ahmad al-Shar’a, who traveled to Moscow in mid-October and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During that meeting, President al-Shar’a reaffirmed his government’s commitment to all previously signed agreements and treaties with Russia, while expressing appreciation for Moscow’s political, military, and economic support to Syria.
President Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russian-Syrian cooperation would yield positive and tangible outcomes for both nations, noting that the relationship between Moscow and Damascus has remained strong and stable for over 80 years. He also highlighted the strategic nature of their partnership, pointing to the two countries’ shared efforts in promoting regional stability and confronting mutual challenges.
It is worth noting that Russia has long been Syria’s primary ally and supporter, providing substantial military and political assistance—especially during the rule of the deposed leader Bashar al-Assad, whose presidency lasted for over a quarter of a century. Russia’s direct military intervention in 2015 marked a major turning point in the Syrian conflict, as Russian airstrikes helped reverse the balance of power on several battlefronts in Assad’s favor after he had suffered major territorial losses.
Following the fall of the capital, Damascus, to rebel forces on December 8 of last year, Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia, where he has remained under Russian protection. Since then, Moscow has been working to reshape its political and military relations with the new Syrian government, seeking to maintain its strategic influence in the Middle East.
This latest ministerial visit highlights the deepening coordination between Russia and Syria, as both sides aim to restructure their defense and security ties in line with regional developments. The talks also reflect a joint commitment to enhancing the Syrian army’s capabilities through Russian expertise in training, military technology, and counterterrorism operations.
