What next for Russia-Syria relations? The view from the Kremlin
What next for Russia-Syria relations? The view from the Kremlin newspress_en Wed, 08/19/2026 - 07:00 Politics The optimisation of Russian military forces and assets in Syria—at the Hmeimim airbase and the port in Tartus—began in early 2025. The recent agreement between Damascus and Moscow to reorganise the facilities and place them under joint management is therefore a logical, if long-overdue,…
In August 2026, Russia and Syria signed a memorandum of understanding to reorganise their military facilities in the country, placing them under joint management. This move follows the withdrawal of nearly all Russian weapons systems from Syria by January 2025, including those at Hmeimim airbase and the port of Tartus. The reorganisation aims to address security concerns, such as Hmeimim's vulnerability to attacks and Tartus' lack of protection from maritime threats.
Despite this, Russian officials acknowledge the possibility of a permanent withdrawal of military presence, with joint training and capacity-building centres potentially closing. Meanwhile, Russia has maintained its presence through transport links, with Russian vessels calling at Tartus for supplies. The agreement reflects a desire to preserve economic and military ties, despite the changing dynamics in Syria.
Written by urgent.news from Al Majalla English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
