*** Syria, Russia Agree to Reshape Military Presence at Hmeimim and Tartus | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Syria, Russia Agree to Reshape Military Presence at Hmeimim and Tartus

TDT | Manama

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Syria and Russia have reached a memorandum of understanding on the future of Russia's military presence at the Hmeimim air base and Tartus naval facility, Damascus announced on Sunday.

The agreement follows months of negotiations over the future of Russia's military presence in Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in late 2024.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said the two sides had reached an understanding on the future status of the two bases.

According to Syria's Foreign Ministry, the agreement will begin a process to reorganize Russia's presence along the Syrian coast.

Under the memorandum, the Syrian state will take control of civilian facilities, including Hmeimim Airport and the fourth commercial berth at Tartus port.

The two sides also agreed to restructure the status of the existing military bases and facilities and transform them into joint training and qualification centres, while preserving their mutual interests.

The transition is expected to be completed within three months, after which the new arrangements will come into effect.