Russia seeks to keep a reduced military presence in Syria, a key objective for President Vladimir Putin after the ousting of his previous ally, former president Bashar al-Assad, Bloomberg reports Monday. According to sources familiar with the matter, Putin is close to a deal with the new self-appointed Syrian President, Ahmad al-Sharaa (Jolani), which would allow the Russian military to maintain some staff and equipment in the country The sources speaking with Bloomberg requested anonymity as they were not authorized to comment publicly. One of the sources claims Russia hopes to keep the same naval and air bases it used in Syria before Assad’s government fell on December 8 to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the former Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria. The Russian naval base in Tartous on the Syrian coast is its only port in the Mediterranean. Russia’s Syrian air base is currently located in Hmeimim. Sharaa and Putin spoke over the phone for the first time on February 12, suggesting that the negotiations are moving in a positive direction, Bloomberg reported. Putin told Sharaa he was ready to provide aid to help Syria’s economy, which has been devastated in recent years due to US-imposed sanctions. Click here to read more Also read: US, Russia To Hold Peace Talks In Saudi Arabia […]