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 Russia 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 Syria .
Follow the latest updates on Syria "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 the Islamic State .
"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." Read more: Syrian nerve gas victims say Assad should be punished Inside Syria's 'human slaughterhouse' Be the first to get Breaking News Install the Sky News app for free Russia has two bases inside the country: a naval base in Tartous and the Khemimim Air Base near the port city of Latakia. HTS - the most powerful rebel group to emerge after the collapse of Bashar al Assad's regime - 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 recentl.
