3 weeks ago
Syria and Russia Reach Deal on Two Mediterranean Bases
Russia had two big military places in Syria: a navy base at Tartous and an air base at Hmeimim.
Russia used them to help Syria's old leader, Bashar al-Assad, during a long war that lasted 13 years.
In December 2024, Assad was removed from power and fled to live in Russia.
After that, Syria's new leaders had to decide what would happen to the Russian bases.
Russia and Syria talked about this for 18 months and finally agreed on a plan.
The military parts of the bases will become joint training centres that both countries use together.
The civilian parts, like the airport and part of the port, will be run by Syria.
The change will be finished within three months.
Syria's new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has visited Moscow twice to build a new relationship with Russia.
Even so, Syria still wants Russia to send Assad back.
Syria and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding settling the future of the Hmeimim air base and Tartous naval base after 18 months of negotiations.
The military facilities will become joint training and qualification centres under new arrangements that preserve the interests of both sides.
The transition is to be completed within no more than three months, according to Syria's foreign ministry via state news agency SANA.
Syria will take over civilian facilities including Hmeimim airport, the commercial berth at Tartous port (Pier No. 4) and Latakia's international airport.
Russia has yet to officially comment, while Damascus continues to demand the extradition of Bashar al-Assad, who is sheltering in Moscow.
- Who
- Syria and Russia, with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on the Syrian side and President Vladimir Putin on the Russian side
- What
- Signed a memorandum of understanding to convert the Hmeimim air base and Tartous naval base into joint training and qualification centres, with civilian facilities handed to Syrian control
- Where
- Hmeimim air base, Tartous naval base and Latakia international airport in Syria
- When
- Announced on Sunday, Aug 9, after 18 months of negotiations
- Why
- To settle the future of Russia's only two official military bases outside the former Soviet Union after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024
Syrian sovereignty view
Russian strategic interests view
Future of Russian bases
Syrian sovereignty view
Syria's new leadership sees the deal as effectively ending Russia's military outposts in the country, converting the bases into joint training centres and returning civilian facilities to full Syrian control.
Russian strategic interests view
Russia's stated priority has been preserving its only two official military bases outside the former Soviet Union and maintaining its foothold in the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
Assad's fate
Syrian sovereignty view
Damascus has repeatedly demanded that Moscow extradite Bashar al-Assad, who has been sheltering in Russia with his wife since his ouster.
Russian strategic interests view
Russia continues to shelter Assad and has made no commitment to hand him over, while working to build relations with Syria's new leaders.
Reading of the deal
Syrian sovereignty view
Some reports say the agreement ultimately ends Russia's use of the bases as military outposts, meaning Moscow will no longer have military bases in Syria.
Russian strategic interests view
Syria's foreign ministry describes the pact as a 'reorganizing of the Russian presence' along the coast that preserves mutual interests, implying Russia retains a role at the sites.
Key facts
- Agreement type
- Memorandum of understanding
- Negotiation duration
- 18 months (a year and a half)
- Transition timeline
- No more than 3 months
- Military sites involved
- Hmeimim air base and Tartous naval base
- New role of bases
- Joint training and qualification centres
- Civilian facilities handed to Syria
- Hmeimim airport, commercial berth at Tartous port (Pier No. 4), Latakia international airport
- Context
- Ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024
- Russian response
- No official comment yet
Quotes
President Vladimir Putin
President of Russia, speaking at a meeting with Syrian officials
“Syria’s Foreign Ministry called the pact “the most significant development since negotiations began about 18 months ago,” adding that “it opens the way for a new phase in Syrian‑Russian relations.””
livemint.com
“"An important step towards restoring and operating Syrian airports and reintegrating them into the national civil aviation system"”
NDTV
Sources
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