For years, Russia and Syria maintained a close and strategic alliance. Moscow secured vital military footholds with access to Mediterranean naval and air bases, while Damascus benefited from substantial Russian military support in its prolonged battle against rebel factions. This partnership became a cornerstone of Syria’s war strategy, bolstering President Bashar al-Assad’s grip on power during the darkest phases of the country’s devastating civil war.
However, with the collapse of Assad’s regime, many Syrians are now demanding the departure of Russian forces from their homeland. Yet, despite widespread public resentment, the Syrian interim government remains open to continued cooperation with Moscow, signaling a complex and uncertain future for bilateral relations.
“Russia’s crimes here were indescribable,” declares Ahmed Taha, a rebel commander in Douma, a city located just six miles northeast of Damascus. Taha, once a civilian tradesman, took up arms in response to the Assad regime’s brutal crackdown on peaceful protests in 2011. His transformation from civilian to commander reflects the deep scars left by Syria’s nearly 14-year civil war—a conflict that has ravaged entire communities.
Douma, once a thriving city in a region often referred to as the “breadbasket” of Damascus, now lies in devastation. Entire residential neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble following some of the most intense fighting in the war. The destruction is a grim testament to the prolonged siege and relentless bombardment the city endured.
Russia’s military intervention in Syria, which began in 2015, was a turning point in the conflict. At a time when Assad’s regime was steadily losing ground to rebel forces, Moscow’s involvement reversed the course of the war. Russian airstrikes and military support allowed government forces to reclaim key territories, shifting the balance of power. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov later asserted that Damascus was merely weeks away from falling to rebel forces before Moscow stepped in.
This intervention also served a broader purpose for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Beyond propping up a strategic ally, Putin sought to reassert Russia’s global influence following widespread condemnation over the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The Syrian campaign showcased Russia’s military capabilities and signaled Putin’s intent to challenge Western dominance in global affairs.
Yet, for many Syrians, Russia’s role in the war is synonymous with destruction and suffering. The relentless aerial bombardments, indiscriminate shelling, and reported war crimes have left deep wounds among the civilian population. Rebel leaders and civilians alike view Moscow’s involvement as a direct contributor to the prolonged bloodshed.
Despite public outrage, Syria’s interim government faces a delicate balancing act. While many citizens demand the expulsion of Russian troops, the government recognizes that severing ties with Moscow could leave the fragile state vulnerable in a volatile region. Economic recovery, security challenges, and ongoing political instability complicate the path forward.
As Syria stands at a crossroads, the future of its relationship with Russia remains uncertain. The country is torn between the public’s call for sovereignty and the government’s strategic need for international alliances. Whether Russia will heed demands to withdraw or entrench its influence further is yet to be seen. For now, Syrians are left grappling with the consequences of a war that has reshaped their nation and questioning what role foreign powers should play in their country’s future.
