Kremlin tightens grip on Syria amid post-Assad energy crisis
The Kremlin is attempting to preserve its influence in Syria by leveraging the ongoing energy crisis, which worsened after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Russia has started supplying oil and gas to support the new regime while refusing to extradite the former dictator, escalating tensions with Syria's new authorities, reports The Moscow Times.
The Kremlin aims to use Syria's energy crisis as a chance to maintain its military bases in the country while withholding the extradition of the former dictator, Bashar al-Assad, to the new government. After Assad was overthrown by Islamic rebels backed by Turkey, Syria found itself in an energy crisis, lacking access to oil, gas, and diesel, crucial for its survival, notes The Moscow Times.
In response to this crisis, Moscow began fuel deliveries to Syria to sustain its military presence in the region. "Support for the Syrian people — who we regard as our friends — is indeed underway, and we've been instructed to proceed quietly," says a source from the Russian oil industry.
Russia is facing challenges following Assad's overthrow, as many of its allies in Syria have sided with the rebels, altering the political landscape in the region.
"All our friends in Syria switched sides on the very day of Assad’s flight and the opposition’s arrival — even on their social media. This created enormous difficulties for our policy, both in Syria and across the Middle East," says a Russian diplomat.
Russia strengthens influence in the Middle East
Nevertheless, the Kremlin does not plan to abandon its interests despite the challenging situation. Russia has communicated to Syria's new government that it will not extradite Assad, as this would undermine Putin's authority and betray its core principles.
"Our leader’s [Putin’s] position is that we don’t give up our own, no matter what. Assad had many enemies in the Middle East. But giving him up would tarnish Putin’s authority; it would be seen as a betrayal of our core principles. And the new Syrian authorities would tear him to pieces," said a Russian diplomat.
Meanwhile, Moscow is working to bolster its influence in the Middle East, particularly in the context of its rivalry with the USA, Turkey, and Israel. "Moscow has been displeased with Israel, which has fully occupied the Golan Heights and attacked Syrian military bases and defense industry facilities since Assad’s ouster," notes a Middle East analyst associated with the Kremlin. The Kremlin is now attempting to rebuild relations with Syria's new authorities, ensuring that it will not relinquish influence in this region. After participating in the destruction of Syria, Russia now is ready to take advantage of the vacuum and re-anchor itself on Syria via energy supply, says French diplomat Souhire Medini.
The Kremlin is also striving to maintain strategic bases in Syria, which can help balance the influence of American, Turkish, and Israeli forces. "For Syria’s new authorities, the continued presence of Russian military bases could serve as a counterbalance to U.S. forces in the east, Israeli forces in the south and Turkish troops in the north," says independent Middle East expert Ruslan Suleimanov.
Russia continues to supply fuel to Syria and is involved in rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure. "The supply of our energy resources was one of the most important topics during the meeting between our negotiators and Syria’s transitional president," says a Russian government official.
