Syria says reached deal with Moscow on fate of Russian bases
Syria and Russia have reached a memorandum of understanding to convert two Russian military bases into joint training centers. The agreement marks a shift in influence following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in 2024 and includes the handover of civilian facilities to Syrian authorities.
Why it matters
This deal represents a significant geopolitical recalibration in the Middle East, signaling Russia's attempt to maintain a foothold in Syria under the new administration.
Syria said on Sunday (August 9, 2026) that it reached a deal with Russia on the fate of its two bases in the country, which Moscow once used to provide military support to ousted leader Bashar al-Assad during the Syrian civil war.
Russia was a key Assad ally during the 13-year conflict, helping to keep the former leader in power, and his ouster in 2024 dealt a major blow to its influence in the region.
President Vladimir Putin has since worked to build relations with the new Islamist authorities in Damascus to secure the future of Russia's only two official military bases outside the former Soviet Union.
Syria's official SANA news agency quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying that the Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base would be turned into "joint training and capacity-building centres, within new arrangements that preserve mutual interests".
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in