The Syrian authorities restricts the movement of Russian diplomats

Sources in the Syria capital, Damascus, revealed escalating tensions between the Syrian transitional government and Russia after Damascus recently imposed restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats within Syrian territory.

This move reflects a clear shift in the nature of the relationship between the two sides since the fall of the Assad regime.

According to sources, these measures come amid growing disagreements, most notably reports of alleged coordination between Russian forces stationed at the Hmeimim base and the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF), at a time when the Syrian government is demanding the dissolution of these forces and their integration into the National Army.

That tensions between the two sides escalated following reports that Russian forces were involved in smuggling former regime figures from the Syrian coast to areas under the control of the Syria Democratic Forces.

This escalation has cast a shadow over the future of military and political cooperation between Damascus and Moscow.

Sources indicated that the restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats represent an attempt by Damascus to curtail growing Russian influence at a time when unannounced negotiations are underway regarding the future of Russian military bases in the country.

The new Syrian government is demanding a review of military base agreements and the settlement of certain issues, including the return of funds transferred to Moscow before the fall of the former regime, as well as amending the conditions for the presence of Russian forces in the country.

In an attempt to contain the dispute, Moscow extended an official invitation to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani to hold meetings in the Russian capital to discuss ways of joint cooperation and reach understandings that safeguard the interests of both sides in the coming period.

Moscow views the accelerating rapprochement between the new Syrian government and some Western capitals as a direct threat to its influence in Syria, which explains its determination to maintain its military and political foothold in the region.

In addition to restricting their movement within Syria, a number of Russian diplomats and administrators coming from Lebanon, who used Beirut as a regular transit point, were denied entry.

This decision indicates the Syrian government’s desire to impose strict control over Russian diplomatic activities within its territory.

Observers assert that this move is part of a new policy adopted by Damascus “to assert its national sovereignty and restore sovereign decision-making authority on all issues, even if this leads to further tensions in relations with Moscow”.