Syria reached a deal with Russia on the fate of two Russian military facilities in the country, the Syrian government said on Sunday. The statement did not provide full details of the agreement, including timelines or specific conditions for continued access or operational control.
The facilities, which Moscow has used during the conflict, played a role in supporting the government of Bashar al-Assad during the 13-year civil war. Russian military involvement, including a 2015 intervention, was a decisive factor that assisted pro-government forces in retaining control of key areas.
Syrian officials described the arrangement as a bilateral understanding reached after talks with Moscow, but did not immediately disclose whether personnel levels, command arrangements or legal status of the sites had been altered. Observers note the two best-known Russian installations in Syria are the naval facility at Tartus and the air base at Hmeimim, which have been central to Russia’s logistics and air operations in the country.
The announcement comes after the 2024 removal of Bashar al-Assad from power, an event that regional analysts and officials have said had implications for foreign military presence and influence in Syria. Independent verification of the agreement’s terms and any subsequent operational changes has not been released; the Syrian statement did not specify whether international monitors or third parties would be involved in overseeing implementation.
