Syria and Russia Agree to Reorganize Russian Military Presence at Key Bases
Syria and Russia have reached a memorandum of understanding to reorganize Russia’s presence at the Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base after around 18 months of negotiations.
Under the agreement, Syria will gradually take control of civilian facilities, including Hmeimim Airport and commercial facilities at Tartus port. The military facilities will also undergo a major change, with the two sides agreeing to transform them into joint training and qualification centres.
The transition is expected to be completed within three months, after which the new arrangements will take effect.
Syrian authorities have also begun assessing Latakia International Airport as part of plans to rehabilitate and restore it to operational use.
The Hmeimim and Tartus facilities have long been central to Russia’s military presence in Syria and the wider Mediterranean and Middle East. Moscow established its expanded military presence during Bashar al-Assad’s rule and provided crucial military and political support to his government during the Syrian war.
The agreement marks a significant change in Russia-Syria relations following Assad’s ouster in December 2024 and the formation of Syria’s transitional administration under President Ahmad al-Sharaa in 2025.
