Syrian rebel leaders have guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria, Russian state media claimed on Sunday night, citing a Kremlin source.
“Russian officials are in contact with representatives of the armed Syrian opposition, whose leaders have guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria,” the Kremlin source said, according to TASS.
The source added that Russia hopes for “the continuation of political dialogue in the interests of the Syrian people and the development of bilateral relations between Russia and Syria.”
Earlier on Sunday, TASS reported that supporters of the Syrian armed opposition took control of the western city of Jableh, Syria, near Russia’s Hmeymim airbase. Eyewitnesses told Russian state media that the situation around Hmeymim airbase was calm with no exchanges of fire with the rebels.
Meanwhile, the Syrian government flag was removed from the building of the Syrian Embassy in Moscow, as well as the plaque showing the name of the diplomatic mission, a TASS correspondent reported on Sunday.