Major Syria-Russia Deal: Agreement to Change Status of Russian Bases in Syria’s Coastal Areas

LONDON: Syria and Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding to change the status of Russian military facilities in Syria’s coastal areas, according to Arab News.

The agreement follows around 18 months of negotiations over the future of Russia’s military presence at the Hmeimim airbase and the Tartus naval facility. Under the agreement, Hmeimim airport and the fourth commercial berth at Tartus port, along with other facilities designated for civilian use, will be transferred to Syrian control.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry said Russian military facilities would be transformed into joint training and qualification centres, with the transfer process expected to be completed within three months.

Syrian officials described the memorandum as a major development in relations between the two countries, saying it could open a new phase in Syria-Russia ties.

Analysts said the agreement could give Syria’s transitional government greater control over the terms of Russia’s presence in the country, while allowing Moscow to retain access to some strategically important facilities without maintaining its previous level of military deployment.

Russia’s military presence in Syria has for years been centred on the Tartus naval facility on the Mediterranean coast and Hmeimim airbase near Latakia. Moscow intervened directly in Syria’s civil war in 2015 in support of former President Bashar Al-Assad, using the two facilities for military operations and logistical support.

Following the fall of the Assad government, Russia reduced its military presence in Syria but continued negotiations with the new Syrian leadership over the future of its facilities.

Analysts said the agreement appears to reorganise rather than completely end Russia’s presence in Syria, potentially allowing Damascus to maintain strategic ties with Moscow while expanding relations with other international powers.