Russia agrees to hand Syria back an airport and port berth under new memorandum
Under a memorandum signed on 9 August 2026, Russia will transfer civilian facilities to Syrian state control and convert its military bases in the country into joint training centers, marking a significant reduction of its military footprint in Syria.
Russia and Syria signed a memorandum on 9 August 2026 under which Moscow agreed to give up several civilian facilities in the country, returning them to Damascus's control.
Under the agreement, Russian-held civilian infrastructure, including an airport and a port berth, will be handed over to Syrian state authorities. At the same time, the document stipulates that Russia's military bases in Syria will be converted into joint training centers rather than remaining sites of full military presence.
What is changing
The memorandum points to a substantial reduction of Russia's influence and presence in Syria, where Moscow has historically maintained its most significant military bases in the Middle East. The shift from outright military control to joint training centers signals a transformation of Russia's role in the region.
By regaining control of the airport and port berth, Damascus reclaims important infrastructure assets that had previously been under Russian administration.
The full details of the memorandum and its implementation timeline have not yet been made public.
