Syria and Russia have reached a landmark agreement to reorganize Moscow's military presence on the Syrian coast after 18 months of negotiations. Under the memorandum of understanding, Syria's transitional government under President Ahmad al-Sharaa will take control of civilian facilities, including Hmeimim Airport and commercial berths at Tartus Port, within three months. The remaining military facilities will be converted into joint training centers, ending Russia's exclusive military use of these strategic Mediterranean outposts and signaling a major shift in bilateral leverage.
Syria-Russia base reorganization agreement
- ▪Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani visited the Hmeimim and Tartus sites on August 9, 2026, to inspect the facilities included in the memorandum of understanding.
- ▪The transition of the Hmeimim and Tartus facilities under the new agreement is scheduled to be completed within a maximum timeframe of three months.
- ▪Syria and Russia reached a memorandum of understanding on August 9, 2026, to reorganize Russia's military presence at the Hmeimim air base and Tartus naval base.
- ▪The agreement to reorganize Russia's military presence in Syria was finalized after approximately 18 months of negotiations between Damascus and Moscow.
Civilian facility transfers to Damascus
- ▪Following the announcement, Syrian Civil Aviation and Air Transport Authority head Omar al-Hosary stated that the authority had taken control of Latakia International Airport to begin technical assessments.
- ▪Under the agreement, Syria will assume control of civilian facilities, including Hmeimim Airport and the fourth commercial berth at Tartus Port, integrating them into its civil administration.
- ▪Syria's General Authority for Ports and Customs stated that Syria would take over commercial sites previously operated by Russia at Tartus port, including Pier No. 4 and its warehouses.
Joint military training center conversion
- ▪The military facilities at Hmeimim and Tartus will be converted into joint training and qualification centers under the new bilateral agreement.
- ▪The conversion of the military facilities into joint training centers ultimately ends their use as exclusive military outposts for Moscow.
Shift in Damascus-Moscow power dynamics
- ▪International Crisis Group analyst Nanar Hawach stated that the memorandum reveals a shift in leverage, showing a transitional government renegotiating and demoting a great power's presence.
- ▪Joshua Landis of the University of Oklahoma stated that the agreement allows Damascus to maintain ties with Moscow while signaling to Western governments that it is not firmly in Russia's orbit.
- ▪The Syrian government under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has repeatedly demanded that Russia extradite deposed President Bashar al-Assad, who received asylum in Russia in December 2024.
Russian Mediterranean presence background
- ▪Russia's military presence in Syria has shrunk to an estimated several hundred to 1,000 personnel, down from tens of thousands during the civil war.
- ▪Russia's presence at Tartus dates to 1971, and was expanded under a 2017 agreement granting Moscow a free 49-year lease to accommodate up to 11 warships.
- ▪In October 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved an agreement with the Bashar al-Assad regime granting Moscow permanent and free use of the Hmeimim air base.
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