Russia Says Syria Base Deal Will Boost Ties, Source Says Some Russian Forces Will Stay
The naval facility and air base have long been Moscow's principal military footholds in the Mediterranean and Middle East.
Russia's Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that a deal with Syria over the future of Russia's military bases in the country would strengthen bilateral ties. According to a Syrian source, some Russian forces may remain in these bases, though specifics were not provided. The Syrian Foreign Ministry confirmed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on August 9 to address the status of Russian bases in Tartus and Khmeimim.
These bases came under scrutiny following the departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2024. The memorandum outlined plans to transform military facilities into joint training centers, with the transition to civilian administration to be completed within three months. Russia maintains that the bases enhance its geopolitical influence in the Middle East and enable military operations in Africa.
The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the agreement is a significant step for further cooperation between the two nations, which share a long history of friendship and partnership. Meanwhile, Syrian authorities sentenced Assad to death in absentia for alleged crimes committed during the ongoing civil war. Russian authorities have also accused The Moscow Times of being an "undesirable" organization, potentially leading to legal repercussions for its staff.
The news agency TASS reported that Russia plans to reopen its cultural center in Damascus, known as the Russian House. Despite these developments, The Moscow Times stands firm in its commitment to independent journalism despite facing challenges from Russian authorities.
Written by urgent.news from The Moscow Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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