Syria, Russia agree to reorganize military presence on coast
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Syria and Russia have reached a memorandum of understanding to reorganize Russia’s presence along Syria’s coast after 18 months of negotiations, Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said on Sunday.
The agreement outlines the next phase of relations between the two countries and addresses the future of Russia’s facilities in Khmeimim and Tartus, according to a statement carried by Syria’s state-run news agency (SANA), citing the ministry’s Media and Communications Department.
Under the memorandum, the two sides will begin reorganizing the Russian presence along the Syrian coast, with the Syrian state assuming control of civilian facilities, including Khmeimim Airport and the fourth commercial berth at the Port of Tartus.
The facilities will be gradually incorporated into the country’s civilian administrative system, the statement said.
The two sides also agreed to change the function of Russian military bases and facilities, transforming them from military bases into joint training and qualification centers under new arrangements designed to preserve their mutual interests.
The memorandum sets a deadline of no more than three months to complete the transition, after which the new arrangements will take effect.
The ministry described the agreement as the most significant development since negotiations began about a year and a half ago, saying it opens the way for a new phase in Syrian-Russian relations.
Russia has maintained a significant military presence in Syria since intervening in the country’s war in 2015 in support of former President Bashar al-Assad. Its main facilities include the Khmeimim airbase in Latakia Governorate and the naval facility at Tartus.