Russia and Syria Reach Deal on Military Bases

After 18 months of intensive negotiations, Syria and Russia have reached a memorandum on the future of the Russian bases in Tartous and Hmeimim. According to the Syrian ministry of foreign affairs, Damascus will take over the administration of civilian facilities, including the Hmeimim airfield and the commercial section of the port of Tartous.

It plans to gradually integrate them into the state's civilian administration. Under the agreement, military facilities are to serve as joint training and qualification centers, with the arrangement designed to preserve the interests of both countries.

The transition is to be completed within three months.

The bases in Tartous and Hmeimim have long been key strongholds of the Russian military in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Their future has been under discussion since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024.

Syria will also take over commercial facilities in Tartous that have been operated by Russia until now, including Pier No. 4, warehouses and other facilities.

(Reuters, MJA)