In the weeks since Bashar al-Assad was ousted as Syrian leader, Russia has launched multiple flights to an airbase in the Libyan desert. Moscow’s goal appears to be to find an alternative stopover for its growing military involvement in Africa – and a way to retain its military presence in the Mediterranean.

A Russian Telegram channel has claimed that Bashar al Assad may have been poisoned, sparking online speculation about the fate of the Syrian dictator after he fled to Moscow following his downfall.

The transfer marks the end of an era when Russia played an arguably oversized role in determining which countries could operate in Syria’s contested airspace.

Reports | Vantage with Palki Sharma Syria's dictator-in-exile Bashar al-Assad has reportedly survived a poisoning attempt in Moscow. As per an online account allegedly managed by a former Russian spy,

The Khmeimim airbase in Latakia has been a lifeline for Russia’s expanding influence in Africa, from Libya to several sub-Saharan countries, as a hub for personnel deployment and resupply. Without the base, Russia will likely be forced to upgrade its military presence and infrastructure in Libya.

After Assad's regime was toppled in Syria, Iran and Russia seem to have suffered the biggest setback. Moscow and Tehran see West coming closer to Syria, which used to be closely intricated with their geopolitical aspirations.

What is Ukraine looking to get out of it? Some of Zelenskyy's moves are "raw power play", aimed at "rubbing the Kremlin's nose" in its failure to prevent the fall of Assad, wrote

Ukraine is aiming to build up its security and trade relations in the Middle East and says Syria could be a "reliable partner."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he was preparing to re-establish diplomatic ties with Syria, less than a month after the overthrow of the Russia-backed government in Damascus.

Israeli forces detained more than 240 Palestinians including dozens of medical staff from a north Gaza hospital they raided on Friday, including its director, according to the Health Ministry in the enclave and Israel's military.

The visit comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a large shipment of wheat flour to war-torn Syria, as the two countries seek to reset relations following years of tensions over former President Bashar al-Assad's alliance with Russia.