Syria’s ruler Ahmad Al Shara has demanded at a meeting in Damascus that Russia hand over former president Bashar Al Assad and an estimated $2 billion in liquid assets held by the exiled dictator's family in Russian banks, sources told The National.
The meeting with a Russian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov also focused on other thorny issues but reached no agreement beyond maintaining contact, the sources said.
“Handing over Assad and all senior officers who escaped to Russia was the top of the list," said a member of the new political staff at Syria's former presidential palace in the capital, where the meeting took place. It was the first high-level, face-to-face contact since the fall of the Assad regime and Mr Al Assad fled to Moscow on December 8.
The nature of relations with Moscow could affect the power consolidation set under way by Mr Al Shara's Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS). The rebel group led the overthrow of the Assad regime and is striving to build international ties to legitimise its rule. It also wants financial flows for recovery from Syria's civil war.
Mr Al Shara demanded repatriation of an estimated $2 billion in liquid assets held by the Al Assad family in Russian banks, the source said. Mr Bogdanov did not reply but “reserved the right to respond” to the two demands.
Russia's intervention in the Syrian civil war saved Mr Al Assad from defeat in 2015. However, by the time HTS-led troops swept through northern Syria towards Damascus last month, a similar rescue had become impossible, or too costly. Now Russia's two military bases on the Syrian coast, its main warm-water outposts, are in a country where President Vladimir Putin's government no longer holds sway.
Another Syrian source briefed on the meeting said Mr Al Shara had made it clear that Russia “bears the main responsibility for the tragedies that have befallen the Syrian people” since a 2011 pro-democracy revolt.
Surrendering Mr Al Assad “would go a long way towards building up ties” with the new order in Damascus, the Russian delegation was told, the source said.
HTS troops have launched a military campaign to subdue members of the former regime. In the east, Turkish-backed militias allied with HTS mounted an offensive against a Kurdish-led militia that controls Syria's north-east soon after Mr Al Assad fled to Moscow.
Mr Bogdanov “did not admit any of Russia's past mistakes”, but Mr Al Shara made it clear there will not be any immediate moves against Russian military interests, the sources said.
Russian news agency Tass reported that the two sides had agreed to continue discussions on how to maintain the Russian bases. “We expressed hope that this policy will continue and that our interests in Syria will not be affected,” it quoted Mr Bogdanov as saying.
Video: Syrians despair at the loss of their ancient heritage
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
Indika
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
