Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the ongoing situation in Syria during his annual end-of-year press conference on December 19, 2024, insisting that the fall of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad was not a “defeat” for Russia.
Despite the dramatic turn of events in Syria, with Assad fleeing to Moscow earlier this month after a shock rebel advance ended over 50 years of Assad family rule, Putin maintained that Moscow had achieved its core objectives in the region.
Assad’s departure came after a decade-long civil war, triggered by his brutal crackdown on democratic protests in 2011. This crackdown escalated into a full-scale conflict that resulted in widespread devastation, human rights violations, and the displacement of millions of Syrians.
The regime had been heavily backed by Russia, which intervened in 2015, helping to turn the tide in favor of Assad’s government, largely through airstrikes and military support.
At the press conference, Putin was quick to counter any perception that the current developments in Syria marked a failure for Russia. Responding to a question from an American journalist, Putin said, “You want to present what is happening in Syria as a defeat for Russia.
I assure you it is not.” He emphasized that Russia’s primary goal in Syria, to prevent the establishment of a terrorist enclave similar to that in Afghanistan, had been accomplished. “We came to Syria 10 years ago so that a terrorist enclave would not be created there like in Afghanistan. On the whole, we have achieved our goal,” he stated.
While the Kremlin leader acknowledged Assad’s flight to Moscow, he revealed that he had not yet met with the Syrian president since his arrival, but he planned to do so soon.
Putin also reiterated that Russia was in contact with all regional stakeholders and maintained that the majority of them supported Russia’s military presence in Syria.
The Russian leader highlighted the strategic importance of Russia’s two key military bases in Syria: the Tartus naval base and the Hmeimim air base, which are Russia’s only military outposts outside the former Soviet Union.
These bases play a significant role in Russia’s influence in the Middle East and Africa, and Putin expressed confidence that Moscow’s presence would be maintained, with broad regional support for the continued operation of the bases.
Putin also shared an update on Russia’s activities in the region, noting that at Tehran’s request, Russia had evacuated 4,000 Iranian soldiers from Syria.
This decision underscores the complex and shifting alliances in Syria’s ongoing conflict, as Russia navigates its relationships with both Iran and regional powers who are invested in the future of Syria.
The situation in Syria remains fluid, and Putin’s remarks underscore Russia’s ongoing commitment to its strategic objectives in the country, despite the political and military challenges that have unfolded in recent months.
The Russian president’s comments also serve as a reminder of the broader geopolitical stakes in Syria, where Russia’s actions continue to shape the region’s future.
