Syria has announced a new arrangement for Russia's presence at the Hmeimim and Tartus bases
The Syrian government has announced a memorandum regarding the military presence of Russia, the aggressor state, at the Hmeimim Air Base and the naval base in Tartus. Under the terms of the agreement, Syria will gain control over civilian facilities at the Hmeimim Air Base and the commercial section of the port of Tartus, according to Al Jazeera English.
The military facilities are planned to be converted into joint Russian-Syrian training and professional development centers. The transition to the new format is expected to be completed within three months. As of the publication of this article, Moscow had not commented on the memorandum.
Russia has been a key ally of Bashar al-Assad’s regime during the war in Syria. Russia’s military intervention in 2015 helped al-Assad’s forces turn the tide of the conflict: Hmeimim became the hub of Russian air operations, while Tartus served as Moscow’s main naval base in the Mediterranean Sea.
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After the al-Assad regime was overthrown in December 2024, Russian troops gradually withdrew from Syria, with the exception of contingents stationed at the two bases. The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the new agreements as a “reorganization of the Russian presence” along the country’s coast and the most important outcome of negotiations that lasted about a year and a half.
Analysts interviewed by Al Jazeera English view the agreement as a pragmatic compromise. In their opinion, Damascus is tightening its control over strategic sites, while Moscow maintains its presence in Syria. Researcher Alexei Muravyov noted that both countries need each other, while expert Aron Lund highlighted the long-standing military, technical, and administrative cooperation between Damascus and Moscow.
Political analyst Ruslan Trad stated that Moscow supplies Syria with subsidized oil and grain, holds contracts for reconstruction, and controls Syria’s debt. He also highlighted Russia’s veto power in the UN Security Council. According to Trad’s assessment, the new terms reflect Damascus’s strengthened position in its relations with Moscow.
