Syria and Russia reach deal to end military use of Mediterranean bases

Aug 9, 2026

Syria and Russia have reached a landmark agreement ending Moscow's exclusive military use of the Hmeimim air base and Tartus naval base. Under the deal, which follows 18 months of negotiations after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad, Syria will assume control of civilian and commercial facilities, including Pier No. 4 at Tartus. The remaining military installations will be converted into joint training centers within three months, representing a significant reduction in Russia's strategic Mediterranean footprint.

Syria-Russia base agreement

▪Syria's General Authority for Ports and Customs announced that Syria will take over commercial sites previously operated by Russia at Tartus port, including Pier No. 4 and its associated warehouses.
▪Syria and Russia reached a memorandum of understanding on August 9, 2026, to reorganize Moscow's military presence at the Hmeimim air base and Tartus naval base.
▪The August 9, 2026 agreement between Syria and Russia concludes approximately 18 months of negotiations that began after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad.
▪Under the August 9, 2026 agreement, Syria will take control of civilian facilities, including Hmeimim airport and the commercial berth at Tartus port, for integration into its civil administration.

Post-Assad Syria-Russia relations

▪Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has visited Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow twice since taking power to discuss bilateral relations and the Mediterranean bases.
▪The Syrian government has repeatedly demanded that Russia extradite ousted President Bashar al-Assad, who received asylum in Russia after fleeing Damascus in December 2024.
▪Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa previously stated that any new relations with Russia must address past mistakes and called for compensation for destruction caused by Russia during the war.

Russian Mediterranean military presence

▪Russia has significantly downgraded its military presence in Syria from over 100 military bases to just the Hmeimim and Tartus positions on the Syrian coast.
▪The Hmeimim air base and Tartus naval base have historically served as Russia's principal military footholds and only supply hubs in the eastern Mediterranean.

Syrian sovereignty assertion

▪The Syrian government canceled Russia's contract to manage the Tartus port and signed an $800 million investment deal with Dubai Ports World.
▪Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani visited the Hmeimim and Tartus facilities on August 9, 2026, to inspect the sites included in the memorandum of understanding.