Syria and Russia agree to reclassify military bases in Tartus and Hmeimim

Syria's Foreign Ministry announced a memorandum of understanding with Russia on Sunday regarding the future of Moscow's Hmeimim and Tartus military facilities, following 18 months of negotiations.

Under the agreement, the air and naval installations will be transformed into joint training and capacity-building centers. Syria will gradually assume management of civilian infrastructure, including Hmeimim Airport and commercial berths at Tartus port, integrating them into national administration.

The negotiations over Russia's Mediterranean footholds had been ongoing since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The new framework aims to preserve mutual interests while restructuring Moscow's presence on the Syrian coast.

Sources: Daily Sabah, Der Standard, ORF, Sweden Herald, The Insider