Russia and Syria Reach Deal on Putin’s Military Bases

After roughly a year and a half of lengthy negotiations, Syria and Russia have reached an agreement governing the future of the country’s two main Russian bases—at Hmeimim and Tartus. Syria’s Foreign Ministry announced Sunday that the sides signed a memorandum of understanding that will define the next phase of relations between Damascus and Moscow and determine the nature of Russia’s presence on Syrian territory in the years ahead.

In a statement, Syria’s Foreign Ministry said that “after a year and a half of intensive negotiations and discussions, the fate of the two Russian bases in Hmeimim and Tartus has finally been decided through a memorandum of understanding outlining the characteristics of the next phase in relations between the sides.” According to the statement, this is the most significant development since negotiations between the two countries began about a year and a half ago.

Earlier Sunday, the Saudi newspaper “Asharq Al-Awsat” reported that the agreement will bring a reorganization of Russia’s presence along Syria’s coast. According to the report, facilities with a civilian character will be transferred to the management of the Syrian regime, including Hmeimim Airport and the fourth commercial berth at the Port of Tartus.

At the same time, the sides also reached understandings regarding the military facilities. According to the report, the military bases will no longer operate in their current format, but will be converted into joint training centers. The new arrangement is intended, according to language agreed upon by both sides, “to preserve mutual interests.”

The emerging picture is that Russia is not ending its military activity in Syria entirely. Instead, it will retain a foothold through involvement in training the Syrian army. Still, the scale of Russia’s presence is expected to be significantly reduced compared with the years when Bashar al-Assad ruled the country.