Syria�s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has reportedly requested that Russia extradite former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his close aides, according to sources familiar with discussions between al-Sharaa and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.

The request, if confirmed, would mark a major turning point in Syria�s post-Assad era, as the country�s new administration seeks to bring the former regime to justice following Assad�s ouster late last year. Assad and members of his family fled to Moscow, where they remain under Russian protection.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on whether al-Sharaa�s demand had been raised during the talks, but the Kremlin did confirm that Russia is working to establish dialogue with Syria�s new leadership in an effort to safeguard its strategic military presence in the region.

Bogdanov�s visit to Damascus this week marks the first official engagement between Russia and Syria�s new government since the fall of Assad, signaling a potential shift in Moscow�s stance as it seeks to recalibrate its role in the war-torn country. However, whether Russia will consider turning over its longtime ally remains uncertain.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)