Damascus and Moscow announce agreement on Russian bases in Syria

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday that an agreement has been reached with Moscow regarding the future of Russian bases located in Syria. This agreement, the result of a year and a half of negotiations, specifically concerns the military installations at the port of Tartous and Hmeimim airport, which have been crucial for supporting Bashar al-Assad during the civil war.

According to official statements, the Tartous and Hmeimim bases will be transformed into "joint training centers." The management of the civilian facilities at these sites will also be returned to Syria, marking a significant change in the structure of the Russian military presence in the country.

The mentioned bases represent Russia's only official military outposts outside the former USSR. Their transformation into training centers has been presented as a way to preserve the mutual interests of Damascus and Moscow while adapting their military collaboration.

Discussions for this agreement began over a year ago, as both countries sought to strengthen their cooperation while addressing strategic needs. The decision by Damascus and Moscow indicates a readjustment of the roles and functions of the military facilities.

Syrian authorities have not specified the exact timelines for the implementation of this agreement, although sources report that the transformation of the facilities is expected within three months. This change comes as Syria continues to navigate a complex political and military landscape.

The statement from the Syrian ministry comes amid close scrutiny of the relationships between Damascus and Moscow, given the implications of this agreement for the power dynamics in Syria and the presence of foreign military forces in the region.