Feature: Syrians in Latakia develop strong bonds with Russians

Russia's sweeping military progress on the ground in support of Syria's army bound people in the city of Latakia to their allies, to the extent of naming restaurants and even children after them.

Latakia, also known as "the Syrian coast's bride city," has been a major base for Russia, who officially entered the country last September to help Syria's government forces in their bitter battles against foreign-backed militants in the Latakian countryside near Turkey.

Months after launching their aerial campaign in Syria which started with the Hmaimim base in Latakia's countryside, Latakians became increasingly attached to their foreign friends.

As a matter of fact, two restaurants were named after Russia, one is called Russia and the other, Moscow, both in central Latakia.

"I decided to name my restaurant "Russia" to express my gratitude and love for the Russians and their positive political and military role in supporting us against the rebels' attacks in Latakia," Nader, "Russia's" restaurant owner told Xinhua.

Nader added that he opened his restaurant in October, a month following the Russian military intervention in Syria, noting that both the name and the "good hospitality" enticed the Russians to frequent his restaurant.

"We became friends with our Russian customers. They were so positive and well-mannered," he said.

The Russian spelling of "Russia" can be seen on every glass door in Nader's restaurant. The 34-year-old also plays Russian music and serves Russian dishes to attract Russian customers to dine at his restaurant.

"A substantial number of Russian customers frequent my place quite often, and their numbers increase daily," he said.

"Our menu serves Russian dishes such as Beef Stroganoff, Chicken Kiev as well as Russian salads and more, in addition to Russian beverages," Nader said, wearing his restaurant's uniform with the Russian name sewn on the shirt's chest pocket.

In Nader's restaurant, even ashtrays are carved with the name Russia in both Arabic and English.

Nader said he tried his best to offer a relaxing atmosphere to make his Russian customers feel at home.

"We wanted them to feel as if they were in Russia, back home, not strangers," Nader said, boasting that some of his Russian friends shared encouraging remarks saying "they told me they didn't feel like strangers in Latakia at all," due to the friendly and hospitable people.

Nader even said that one of his waiters started learning Russian to better serve his customers, holding a handwritten paper with welcoming Russian phrases to use every time a Russian customer entered.

"All my efforts eventually paid off and I am happy with that," Nader said.

Even following Russia's decision taken last week to withdraw large military units from Syria, Nader said he will never change the restaurant's name.

"We insist on the name whether Russian forces stay or leave," he said, noting that his insistence on naming the restaurant emanates from his "conviction."

"It's not about staying or leaving, it's about a steady Russian stance that won't change and neither will ours," he said.

Still, Nader didn't deny the fact there was a financial profit from his Russian customers, even from those who simply came to the restaurant just to be with their friends.

One of the restaurant's customers, Ali, said he lived in Russia for 13 years whilst studying medicine and added that the restaurant lured him to it because of its name.

"Personally, I really like the name, because I am very attached to Russia and I love Russian people because they are good-natured. So I go wherever there are Russians and that's why I come here daily," he said.

Ali said he met with Russians several times at the restaurant.

"We discussed several issues and we both seemed to grasp the situation very well," he said.

"Their strategy is clear, not volatile which is why I wasn't sad when I heard about their withdrawal because I trust them completely," he said, as he played a backgammon game with his friend Dr. Haitham Youssef, who also studied in Russia.

Youssef said he loved the restaurant's name, "Russia," for two reasons.

"First of all, because I studied in Russia and spent a very good time there, and second because in Arabic the names Russia and Syria sound very similar to one another, so it's almost like two sides of the same coin," he said.

"I trust the Russians and this trust developed following my study of history where I learned that Russians always attempted to quell the world's fires, not just Syria now," he said.

Youssef said he would like to see more places in Syria named both after President Vladimir Putin and Russia.

The other restaurant named after Russia is called "Moscow," whose owner also shared his gratitude for Russia's role in supporting Syria against the rebels.

In another area in Latakia, the Sheikh Daher Square, Khaled, who owns an antique shop, said Russian customers frequented his shop and bought souvenirs.

"They always came to my shop. However, recently they've come to buy gifts for their relatives in Moscow since they are leaving soon," he told Xinhua.

"They bought souvenirs named "Syria"... they also bought bronze-shaped Aladdin magical lamps," he said.

Khaled said Latakians felt safe during Russia's heavy presence in Latakia's Hmaimim base.

"We felt safe and to be honest the majority of us were saddened by the news of their departure," he said.

The bonds developed with the Russians were not only confined to civilians, but also with military and security personnel.

One security agent, who usually accompanied the Russians, said he felt as if he lost a child when he heard the news about Russia's withdrawal.

"We have a strong alliance with the Russians, and I'm not sad because their military presence decreased, but because we developed personal friendships," he told Xinhua, asking not to be named in line with regulations.

"You cannot imagine how good the people are. I used to escort some of them, even officers, and they always treated me respectfully and as a friend," he said.

The man said love for Russians increased among the government-supportive people in towns surrounding Latakia, as these towns suffered massacres committed by militants in 2013.

people even call President Vladimir Putin "Abu Ali Putin," as Abu Ali is a name bestowed upon brave people in Syria's coast.

"In my town, some fathers named their newborns Putin after the Russian president," the security man said.

Meanwhile, a Syrian army military officer told Xinhua that Russia's support to Syria's army was crucial.

"We achieved much throughout Syria with the help of Russia, who enabled Syria's army to regain control of several of the country's key areas," he said.

He said that during Russia's heavy presence in Latakia he made good friends and added that although Russia's withdrawal is coordinated, studied and agreed upon, "yet when you say goodbye to a dear friend, you do feel a little sad."

Last week, Russia's leadership announced it was withdrawing substantial units of its air force from Syria.

The Syrian government stated that the decision was entirely coordinated with Damascus, adding that it was due to the ground improvement achieved by Syria's army and the currently-stable truce.

Analysts interpreted the withdrawal as a way to encourage a political solution for Syria's crisis, especially given that currently Syria's government representatives and the opposition are meeting in Geneva in an attempt to solve Syria's five-year-old conflict. Endit