Moscow and Damascus Agree on the Future of Russian Bases in Syria
After 18 months of negotiations, Russian military facilities in Tartus and Hmeimim will be converted into joint training centers, with civilian facilities returned to Syrian control.
After 18 months of negotiations, Russian military facilities in Tartus and Hmeimim will be converted into joint training centers, with civilian facilities returned to Syrian control.
Syria's state news agency SANA reported on Saturday that the governments of Syria and Russia have reached a memorandum of understanding defining the future of the Russian military presence in the Middle Eastern country. The agreement, the result of negotiations that lasted a year and a half, envisions a significant restructuring of Russian facilities on Syria's Mediterranean coast. Syria's Foreign Ministry stated on Sunday that the deal was reached after "18 months of intensive negotiations" and represents a "reorganization of the Russian presence" along the Syrian coast.
Under the terms of the agreement, the military facilities in Tartus and Hmeimim, near the city of Latakia, will be reorganized into "joint training and qualification centers," no longer functioning as traditional military bases. This wording was reported by SANA and cited by specialized channels such as Clash Report and Voenkor Kotenok. According to the ministry, the new arrangements preserve the interests of both parties, and this move marks "the most significant development since negotiations began about a year and a half ago, paving the way for a new phase in Syrian-Russian relations."
At the same time, civilian facilities associated with these sites will gradually be returned to the administration of the Syrian state. This includes Hmeimim Airport and the fourth commercial berth at the Port of Tartus. Syria's Foreign Ministry confirmed that the state will take over management of these civilian facilities, allowing for their gradual integration into the country's civil administration. The entire transition process is expected to be completed within three months.
Russia has maintained a strong military presence in Syria for years, with the bases in Tartus and Hmeimim serving as key points for projecting its power in the Mediterranean. The Russian naval base in Tartus and the Hmeimim air base have long been Moscow's main military strongholds in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and their future became a subject of negotiations with the new Syrian leadership after former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December 2024. This agreement marks the end of that model and represents a significant geopolitical restructuring of Russia's presence in the region. Russia has not yet officially commented on the deal.
Details on how many Russian personnel will remain as part of the new training centers, as well as the exact status of military equipment, have not yet been disclosed.
