Syria and Russia have agreed to end Moscow’s use of two strategic Mediterranean coastal bases as military outposts. Following 18 months of intensive negotiations, the two countries reached a memorandum of understanding to redefine the role of the facilities that have provided Russia with a military presence on the Mediterranean.
Under the agreement, the Hmeimim air base and Tartus naval base will be converted into joint training and capacity-building centers. Syria will take over management of the Hmeimim air base and part of the Tartus port, allowing civilian facilities to be gradually integrated into the country's civilian administration.
These bases were previously used to support ousted leader Bashar Assad during the Syrian civil war. Syria stated that these new parameters for Russia’s military presence open the way for a new phase in relations between the two nations.