Anti-government militants and jihadists who have overthrown President Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria have assured the safety of Russia’s military installations and diplomatic missions within the country, according to a source from the Kremlin cited by TASS news agency.

On Saturday, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadists and the US-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) launched an offensive on Damascus, leading to the Syrian Army’s withdrawal and Assad’s departure to seek asylum in Russia. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, a former commander of Al-Qaeda, announced their victory in a televised address on Sunday, asserting that “the future is ours.”

Later that day, an unnamed Kremlin source informed TASS that Russian officials are maintaining communication with representatives of the armed Syrian opposition. These representatives have assured the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic entities in Syria, the source stated, expressing hope for ongoing political dialogue that serves the interests of the Syrian populace and fosters the development of bilateral relations between Russia and Syria.

Russia’s involvement in the Syrian Civil War began in 2015, aiding Assad in regaining control from the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) and various foreign-backed militias and jihadist factions. In this latest situation, Moscow refrained from deploying forces to counter the HTS and FSA offensive, with the Russian Foreign Ministry indicating that Assad chose to step down peacefully after private discussions with several opposition factions. The ministry clarified that “Russia did not participate in these negotiations.”

Russia initiated the construction of the Khmeimim Air Base near Latakia shortly after providing assistance to Assad in 2015. Since then, the base has served as a launch point for the Russian Air Force to conduct operations against ISIS and other terrorist factions in Syria, as well as a hub for transporting supplies and armaments into the region.

Situated approximately 60 kilometers from the Russian naval facility at Tartus, which was established by the Soviet Union in 1971, Khmeimim Air Base plays a strategic role. In 2017, Russia secured a 50-year lease for Tartus, granting Moscow complete control over the facility and allowing the Russian Navy to deploy up to 11 vessels there.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has indicated that both installations were placed on high alert during the insurgents’ offensive towards Damascus; however, it has stated that “there is currently no serious threat to their security.”