By bnm Gulf bureau Russian forces have begun withdrawing from Syria, with two cargo vessels, the Sparta II and Sparta, departing from the port of Tartus on January 30, carrying significant military equipment.

Syria has demanded reparations from Russia in order to "rebuild trust" after a meeting between Damascus' new administration and a Moscow delegation, according to local news sources. Russia and Syria's meeting to discuss future relations comes as Moscow looks to retain its two military bases in the Middle Eastern country.

DAMASCUS, Syria — A delegation of Russian officials arrived in Damascus on Tuesday for the first such visit to Syria since the fall of former President Bashar Assad. Assad, an ally of Moscow, took refuge in Russia after his ouster in December in a lightning rebel offensive.

Russia reaffirms its commitment to maintain a permanent dialogue with Syria's new leadership after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.

Russian delegation held 'constructive' talks with new Syrian administration, says deputy foreign minister - Anadolu Ajansı

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani visited Damascus on Thursday, the first visit by a head of state to the Syrian capital since the Dec. 8 fall of President Bashar al-Assad to an Islamist rebel offensive.

A Russian delegation tells Damascus it wants certain Syrian opposition groups included in the upcoming national dialogue conference

A Russian delegation in Syria reaffirmed Moscow’s support for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity Wednesday, following the fall

A Russian delegation voiced support for Syria's sovereignty as it met the new administration in Damascus on Tuesday, marking the first such visit to the war-torn country since the fall of the Assad regime. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, and Presidential Special Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentiev met Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Ahmed al Sharaa was declared the new president of Syria in the transitional government that came into power after the collapse of the Assad regime on December 8. This declaration led to congratulations from several Arab states in the region,

Russia deployed troops to Syria in 2015 to support Assad regime's brutal crackdown against anti-government forces.