Syria and Russia agree on future status of Russian military bases
After a year and a half of negotiations, Damascus and Moscow have signed a memorandum on reorganizing Russia's military presence in Syria. Civilian facilities will pass to Syrian control, while the bases will become joint training centers.
Syria and Russia have reached an agreement on the future of Russian military bases in the Middle Eastern country, the SANA news agency reports, citing Syria's Foreign Ministry. The deal follows negotiations between the two sides that lasted a year and a half.
What will change
The two sides signed a memorandum providing for the reorganization of Russia's military presence in Syria. Under the document, civilian facilities will be handed over to Syrian administration, while Russian military bases will be converted into joint training centers reflecting the interests of both countries.
Syria's Foreign Ministry explained that Damascus will take over civilian control of Hmeimim airport as well as the fourth commercial berth at the port of Tartus. This will allow these facilities to be gradually integrated into the country's civilian infrastructure. The two sides also agreed to review the status of facilities currently used for military purposes.
The new arrangement will take effect after a transition period not exceeding three months.
Background
Russia currently controls the Hmeimim air base in Latakia province and a naval logistics support point in Tartus. The fate of these bases became uncertain after the overthrow of longtime president Bashar al-Assad, Moscow's main ally in the region.
Last October, Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Moscow and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. At the time, al-Sharaa stated that Syria's new leadership would honor all agreements previously signed with Russia.
