Syria's Ambassador Seeks Asylum from Russia, Media Reports

The Syrian ambassador, 69-year-old Bashar Jaafari, has requested asylum from Russia, according to TASS citing its sources.

The embassy had previously issued a statement announcing that the diplomat, whose mission has concluded, has received a position in the central administration of Damascus. "We wish Ambassador Jaafari success in his new workplace at the Damascus administration. Everyone is eagerly awaiting you, Syria needs your diplomatic experience," the statement said.

According to SANA agency, the Syrian Foreign Ministry has decided to transfer the ambassadors serving in Russia and Saudi Arabia to the central apparatus in Damascus as part of a staff reshuffle.

Bashar Jaafari, who has previously held positions as Deputy Foreign Minister and Syria's permanent representative to the UN, has been leading the embassy in Russia since October 2022. Media reports suggest that the main dissatisfaction of the new Syrian authorities is related to Jaafari's defense of Bashar Assad's government interests on the international stage.