Russia has established "direct contact" with Syria's Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) rebel group, according to state media outlet Interfax. It reported that deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov told journalists that was aiming to maintain its military bases inside Syria. Mr Bogdanov said contact with HTS was "proceeding in constructive fashion" and that Moscow hoped the group would fulfil its pledges to maintain order and ensure the safety of diplomats and other foreigners within .
"The bases are still there, where they were on Syrian territory," he said. "No other decisions have been made for the moment. "They were there at the Syrians' request with the aim of fighting terrorists from .
"I am proceeding on the basis of the notion that everyone agrees that the fight against terrorism, and what remains of IS, is not over." Russia has two bases inside the country: a naval base in Tartous and the Khemimim Air Base near the port city of Latakia. - the most powerful rebel group to emerge after - started as the official al Qaeda affiliate in Syria, under the name Nusra Front.
The Sunni Islamist militant faction is viewed as a terrorist organisation by many Western powers. However, the UK government recently said it . It comes after the US said it was working to bring home an on Thursday.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking to reporters in Aqaba, said: "We're working to bring him home, to bring him out of Syria. "But for privacy reasons, I can't share any more details abou.
