Putin and al-Sharaa discuss future of Russian military bases in Syria
The Kremlin says a memorandum signed in August will reorganise the Khmeimim airbase and Tartous naval base into joint training centres, with Syria assuming control of civilian facilities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa held a telephone discussion on Wednesday to address bilateral relations and the strategic future of Russian military assets in Syria. According to the Syrian news agency SANA, the conversation focused on deepening political dialogue and expanding cooperation in trade, marking a continued effort to stabilise ties following the recent political transition in Damascus.
A central element of the talks was the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 9 August. The agreement outlines the reorganisation of the Khmeimim airbase and the Tartous Material-Technical Support Point into joint training and capacity-building centres. Under this arrangement, Syria is set to take control of the civilian facilities at both sites, a shift that reflects the evolving dynamics between Moscow and the new Syrian government.
The Kremlin affirmed Moscow’s support for Syria’s territorial integrity during the call. Russian officials also reiterated their position on regional security, specifically rejecting Israeli attacks as violations of Syrian sovereignty. While the specific operational details of the new base arrangements remain limited in public reporting, the memorandum represents a significant step in formalising the post-Assad relationship.
Russia had backed former President Bashar al-Assad throughout the 13-year civil war, intervening militarily to keep him in power and expanding its footprint at the Khmeimim and Tartous bases. These installations on the Mediterranean coast have been key to Russian efforts to maintain influence across the Middle East and Northern Africa. Since al-Sharaa led the ouster of the Assad regime, Putin has worked to secure the future of these bases with the new administration.
The deal, which was announced earlier this month after 18 months of negotiations, signals a move towards a more structured partnership. The Kremlin stated that Russia-Syria relations will continue through contact at various levels, ensuring that the reorganisation of the military sites proceeds in line with the agreed memorandum.
