Syria and Russia have finalized a memorandum of understanding to transition civilian facilities at two key military bases to Syrian administration.
Key facts
- •The agreement follows 18 months of negotiations between Syria and Russia.
- •Syria will take over management of Hmeimim airport and the commercial berth at Tartous port.
- •Military facilities will be converted into joint training and qualification centers.
- •The transition process is expected to conclude within three months.
- •Syria's General Authority for Ports and Customs will oversee operations at the commercial sites, including Pier No. 4.
Syria and Russia have reached a memorandum of understanding regarding the future of Russian military bases at Tartous and Hmeimim. The agreement follows 18 months of negotiations with Syria's new leadership, which took power after the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Transition of Civilian Facilities
Under the new agreement, the Syrian state will assume management of civilian facilities at both locations, including the Hmeimim airport and the commercial berth at the port of Tartous. These sites are set to be gradually integrated into Syria's civilian administration. Specifically, the General Authority for Ports and Customs announced that Syria will take control of commercial sites previously operated by Russia at Tartous, including Pier No. 4 and its associated warehouses.
Military Base Arrangements
Military facilities at the sites will be repurposed into joint training and qualification centers. These arrangements are intended to preserve the interests of both nations, with the full transition process scheduled to be completed within three months.
Timeline
- December 2024Former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted from power.
- Last monthReuters reported that Russia was seeking to establish a commercial logistics hub at Pier No. 4 in Tartous.
- SundayThe Syrian Foreign Ministry announced the memorandum of understanding.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Moscow Times.
