Assad’s visit to Putin is first abroad since 2011

DAMASCUS, Syria — President Bashar Assad has traveled to Moscow in his first known trip abroad since war broke out in Syria in 2011, meeting his strongest ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders stressed that military operations in Syria — in which Moscow is the latest and most powerful addition— must lead to a political process.

Russia later announced that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry have agreed to meet in Vienna on Friday with their counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Turkey to discuss the Syria crisis.

The surprise visit Tuesday reflects renewed confidence from the embattled Syrian president after Russia and Iran, another staunch ally, dramatically escalated their support recently as Moscow began carrying out airstrikes on Syrian insurgents and Tehran sent hundreds of ground forces.

A Syrian official confirmed Wednesday that Assad had returned to Damascus. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Putin said he had invited Assad, thanking him for “coming to Moscow despite a tragic situation in your country.”

Assad flashed wide smiles as he shook hands with Putin and other officials. “We thank you for standing by Syria’s territorial integrity and its independence,” Assad told Putin.

Moscow, a traditional ally of the Assad family, started an air campaign on Sept. 30 against what it said are terrorist groups threatening Syria and Assad’s rule.