{
  "id": 388375,
  "title": "Russia’s military bases in Syria set for major change under new deal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/russias-military-bases-in-syria-set-for-major-change-under-new-deal",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T14:51:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/russias-military-bases-in-syria-set-for-major-change-under-new-deal-1.500635409"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Syria has reached an agreement with Russia regarding the future of the country's two military bases, Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base, according to Syria's official SANA news agency. The foreign ministry quoted the deal as preserving mutual interests while transforming the bases into joint training and capacity-building centers. The memorandum of understanding, reached after a year and a half of negotiations, stipulates that the process will be completed within no more than three months. Syria plans to hand over civilian facilities at both bases to Damascus. Russia, a key ally of ousted leader Bashar Al Assad during the 13-year Syrian civil war, provided vital military support to keep Assad's forces in power. The agreement comes as Assad's ouster in 2024 significantly diminished Moscow's influence in the region, prompting President Vladimir Putin to seek stronger relations with the new Islamist authorities in Damascus.",
  "summary": "Syria says reached deal with Moscow on fate of Russian bases",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "In deal with Russia, Syria to regain control of 2 key Mediterranean bases",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/in-deal-with-russia-syria-to-regain-control-of-2-key-mediterranean",
        "published": "2026-08-09T17:13:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Syria says deal agreed with Russia on future of military bases",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/syria-says-deal-agreed-with-russia-on-future-of-military-bases",
        "published": "2026-08-09T17:19:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Qatar Tribune",
        "title": "Syria says it reached deal with Moscow on future of Russian military bases",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/syria-says-it-reached-deal-with-moscow-on-future-of-russian-military",
        "published": "2026-08-09T21:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}