In an interview, Murhaf Abu Qasra, a onetime leader in Syria’s insurgency, discussed moves by authorities in Damascus to build new alliances.

Syria’s new leadership is open to allowing Russia to keep its military bases in the country if it aligns with national interests, Murhaf Abu Qasra, defense minister in the transitional government, told The Washington Post in an interview published on February 6.

The arrival of the first top Russian diplomat in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad’s fall kicks off negotiations over the fate of Moscow’s bases in Syria.

Syria will keep Russian military bases on its territory in Tartus and Khmeimim, if it is beneficial to her, said the Minister of Defense of the transitional Government, Murhaf Abu Kasra.

Satellite imagery shows clear indications that Russia’s increasingly anticipated withdrawal of forces from its Tartus naval base in Syria has finally started. Complete loss of access to the facility,

Russia has stepped up its military withdrawal from Syria, removing vehicles and containers from its key Tartous port on the country's Mediterranean coast, analysis by BBC Verify suggests.

Syria's new government will decide the fate of Russian military bases based on national interests, Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra told The Washington Post on Feb. 6. Russia's ability to retain its naval base in Tartus and airbase in Khmeimim will depend on what Moscow offers in return,