Lead

Syria's transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa said in an interview with Al Jazeera that the change of power in Damascus in December 2024 opened a new page in relations with Russia, according to the Russian state news agency TASS. In the interview, broadcast on July 26, al-Sharaa said, "Our countries maintain historic relations, and we share large interests," and added that they are "currently working to adjust the course and bring the situation back to normal."

Coverage Comparison

The two news organisations that reported on this story approached it from different angles. Al Jazeera's coverage, which included a video explainer by its correspondent Hannah Raslan, focused on how Syria is redefining its ties with Russia after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The piece highlighted that Syria cut ties with some former allies but redefined its relationship with Russia. TASS, the Russian state news agency, reported al-Sharaa's statements directly, quoting his remarks about historic relations and shared interests, as well as his comments on the future of Russian military bases in Syria.

Key Claims

  • In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera on July 26, al-Sharaa stated that Syria and Russia maintain historic relations and share large interests, and that the change of power in Damascus opened a new page in relations.
  • Al-Sharaa said discussions with Russia about the future of its military bases in Syria are not yet over, as quoted by TASS.
  • On March 31, addressing a dialogue session at Chatham House, al-Sharaa said measures are being developed to gradually rebuild the Russian bases into training centers for the Syrian army, according to TASS.
  • Al Jazeera reported that after Bashar al-Assad's fall in December 2024, Syria cut ties with some former allies and redefined its relationship with Russia.