Transfer of Syrian ambassador from Moscow to Damascus

A source in the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday that the ministry decided to transfer Bashar Al-Jaafari, the Ambassador of Syria in Moscow, to the central administration in Damascus.

According to the source, the affairs of the Syrian embassy in Moscow will be managed by the chargé d'affaires until a new ambassador is appointed by President Ahmed Al-Sharaa soon. The source did not provide additional details regarding the reasons for Jaafari's transfer or the expected appointments but emphasized that this step is aimed at enhancing diplomatic operations in the coming period.

- Jaafari's diplomatic career -

Bashar Jaafari, born in Damascus on April 14, 1956, has been a prominent figure in Syrian diplomacy. He began his career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1980 and has held several significant diplomatic positions, including serving as a diplomatic attaché at the Syrian embassy in Paris and as the first secretary and advisor at the Syrian Permanent Mission to the UN.

From 2006 to 2020, Jaafari served as Syria's Permanent Representative to the UN, where he became known for vigorously defending the Syrian government's positions. In 2020, he was appointed as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, before being named ambassador to Russia in October 2022.

- Political controversies -

Jaafari is well-known for his unwavering support of the Syrian regime, particularly during the ongoing conflict. His positions in international forums often reflected the government's stance. However, following the regime's collapse in December 2024, Jaafari stirred controversy with statements in which he labeled the former regime as a "criminal mafia gang" and described former Syrian President Assad's escape as "pitiful."

These remarks generated mixed reactions and raised questions about whether Jaafari was attempting to distance himself from his previous political affiliations.