Syria says deal agreed with Russia on future of military bases
Under the agreement, Syria will take over management of two Russian bases that were used to support ousted leader Bashar Assad during the Syrian civil war.
Syria and Russia have reached an agreement on the future management of Russian military bases along Syria's Mediterranean coastline. The Memorandum of Understanding, signed after 18 months of negotiations, signifies the end of Russia's military outposts in Syria. The Hmeymim airport and the commercial berth at Tartus port will be managed by Syria, which plans to convert these facilities into joint training and capacity-building centers under new arrangements that maintain mutual interests.
The transition is projected to be completed within three months. Russia, Syria's primary ally and military backer during the 13-year civil war that concluded in 2024, has been attempting to establish ties with the new Syrian government to safeguard the future of its sole remaining military bases outside the former Soviet Union. Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin twice since assuming office in January 2025, with Putin expressing satisfaction over the progress in restoring interstate relations.
The Syrian government has been urging Russia to extradite former President Bashar Assad, who now resides in Moscow in exile.
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