{
  "id": 380876,
  "title": "Syria says reached deal with Moscow on fate of Russian bases",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/syria-says-reached-deal-with-moscow-on-fate-of-russian-bases",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-09T13:48:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40433991/syria-says-reached-deal-with-moscow-on-fate-of-russian-bases"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Damascus announced on Sunday a deal with Moscow concerning the future of Russia's two military bases in Syria. The foreign ministry cited Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base as the affected facilities, which are Russia's only two bases outside the former Soviet Union. According to SANA news agency, these bases will be transformed into \"joint training and capacity-building centers\" under new arrangements that respect mutual interests. The memorandum of understanding concluded a year and a half of talks, stipulating a maximum of three months to finalize the process. Civilian facilities at both bases will be transferred to Damascus' control. Russia, a key ally of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the 13-year civil war, has provided crucial military support that sustained Assad's forces. With Assad's removal in 2024, Moscow's regional influence suffered a significant setback. President Vladimir Putin has been striving to establish ties with the new Islamist authorities in Damascus to ensure the bases' continued operation. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani inspected the sites on Sunday to confirm the agreement's terms. Syria has shown a willingness to collaborate with Russia, and President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Putin twice since assuming office. However, Damascus has persistently demanded Russia's extradition of Assad, who has been living in Moscow with his wife since fleeing power. Earlier this year, the Kremlin withdrew its forces from Qamishli airport in northeastern Syria.",
  "summary": "DAMASCUS: Syria said on Sunday that it reached a deal with Moscow on the fate of Russia’s two bases in the country, which it once used to provide military support to ousted leader Bashar al-Assad during the Syrian civil war. Syria’s official SANA news agency quoted the foreign ministry as saying that Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base, Russia’s only two official military bases outside the…",
  "key_points": [
    "Syria and Russia agreed on fate of two Syrian military bases.",
    "Bases to become joint training and capacity-building centers.",
    "Agreement reached after 18 months of negotiations."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}