Damascus announces agreement with Moscow on management of its bases in western Syria

Syrian authorities announced on Sunday that they had reached a memorandum of understanding with Russia regarding the future of its bases at Hmeimim airbase and the port of Tartus in western Syria, with the process of converting the military facilities into joint training and rehabilitation centers to be completed within a period not exceeding three months.

According to the official Sana news agency, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that after a year and a half of negotiations, a memorandum of understanding had been reached under which Damascus would “manage the civilian facilities, primarily Hmeimim airbase and the fourth commercial pier at the port of Tartus.” Meanwhile, the military bases and facilities would have their functions “redefined, transforming them from military bases into joint training and rehabilitation centers, under new arrangements.”