Russia and Syria agree to convert Russian military bases into joint training centers

Syria and Russia have signed a memorandum reorganizing Russia's military presence in the country, according to the Syrian news agency SANA, which cited the country's Foreign Ministry.

Under the agreement, Syria will assume control of civilian facilities, while Russian military bases will be reorganized as joint training centers. Damascus will gradually take over civilian administration of Hmeimim airport and the fourth commercial pier at the port of Tartus, folding both into the country's civilian infrastructure. The two sides also agreed to review the status of facilities currently used for military purposes, with Russian bases becoming joint training centers that reflect the interests of both countries.

Transition period and background

The Foreign Ministry said the new arrangements will take effect after a transition period of no more than three months. The agreement follows a year and a half of negotiations between Damascus and Moscow. Russian authorities have not yet issued a comment.

Russia currently maintains control over the Hmeimim air base in Latakia province and a naval logistics point in Tartus. The fall of Bashar al-Assad's government, long a close ally of Moscow, raised questions about the future of Russian-Syrian cooperation under the country's new leadership. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Moscow in October 2025 for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that Syria's new authorities would uphold all agreements previously signed with Russia.