Syria to regain control of 2 key Mediterranean bases from Russia

Syrian forces will regain control of two key Mediterranean bases as part of a new agreement with Russia, the Syrian Foreign Ministry announced Sunday. The Hmeimim air base and the Tartus naval base, previously crucial Russian military outposts, will be transformed into joint Russia-Syrian training centers.

This significant shift in control comes after the recent overthrow of longtime Syrian President Bashar Assad in December 2024 by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Russia, Assad's primary political and military ally during the civil war, did not intervene in the recent conflict but provided asylum to the former leader. While Russian troops largely withdrew after Assad's ouster, those stationed at the bases remained.

The new arrangement is described by the ministry as a "reorganizing of the Russian presence" along Syria’s coast. "This move marks the most significant development since negotiations began approximately a year and a half ago, paving the way for a new phase in Syrian-Russian relations," the statement read. Syria's new leadership has actively sought to strengthen bilateral ties with Moscow, with al-Sharaa visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin twice since taking power.

Simultaneously, Syria's new government has been bolstering its international relationships. Ties with the United States, Europe, and neighboring Arab countries, which had been strained under Assad, have improved. Washington has lifted most sanctions, and France has appointed an ambassador to Syria for the first time in 14 years, signaling a broader diplomatic realignment.

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This move marks the most significant development since negotiations began approximately a year and a half ago, paving the way for a new phase in Syrian-Russian relations.