Russia, Syria sign deal to restructure military presence, convert bases
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Russia and Syria have signed a memorandum that will reorganize Russia's military presence in the country within three months, converting the Khmeimim airbase and Tartus naval facility into joint training centres and transferring civilian infrastructure to Damascus. The accord, announced by Syria's foreign ministry, follows the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, whose 49-year-old defence pact with Moscow was abandoned by the new authorities.
The Restructuring Plan
Under the terms of the memorandum, Russia will hand over civilian assets at its Syrian bases to the government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The Khmeimim airport and the fourth commercial quay of the Tartus port will be integrated into Syria's national infrastructure. The military facilities — Khmeimim airbase and the Tartus naval logistics point — will be repurposed as joint training centres, according to the Syrian foreign ministry. The entire transformation is to be completed within three months, after which the agreement comes into legal force.
Post-Assad Realignment
The restructuring is a direct consequence of the fall of the Assad government, which Moscow had backed militarily since 2015. New authorities in Damascus, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, initiated a review of the 49-year basing agreement that had granted Russia extensive access. The memorandum, the foreign ministry said, aims to balance mutual interests under the changed political landscape. Russia's Defence Ministry has not yet commented on the changes.
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