Syria, Russia Reach Deal on Future of Tartous and Hmeimim Bases After 18 Months of Talks

By Reuters Aug. 9, 2026 Russian servicemen at the Hmeimim air base, 2023. Russia's Defense Ministry Syria and Russia reached a memorandum of understanding to settle the future of Russian bases at Tartous and Hmeimim following 18 months of intensive negotiations, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said on Sunday, according to the Syrian state news agency. The ministry said the Syrian state would take over management of civilian facilities, including Hmeimim airport and the commercial berth at Tartous port, allowing them to be gradually integrated into the country's civilian administration. It said military facilities would be repurposed as joint training and qualification centres under new arrangements preserving the interests of both sides, with the transition to be completed within three months. Russia's naval facility at Tartous and Hmeimim air base have long been Moscow's principal military footholds in the Mediterranean and Middle East. Their future has been the subject of negotiations with Syria's new leadership since former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December 2024. In a separate statement, Syria's General Authority for Ports and Customs said Syria would take over the commercial sites previously operated by Russia at Tartous port, including Pier No. 4 and its associated warehouses and facilities. Reuters reported last month that Russia was seeking to establish a commercial logistics hub at Tartous port using Pier No. 4, a restricted zone outside the naval base. The two sides said at the time the hub would remain under Syrian control, with all operations subject to approval by Syria's General Authority for Ports and Customs. Read more about: Syria Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Russia Says U.S. Presence in Syria Illegal, Protects Oil Smugglers Russia's Defense Ministry said Washington had no mandate to increase its military presence in Syria. opinion Leonid Bershidsky The Putin-Erdogan Deal Poses a Challenge to the West The Kremlin offers authoritarians a brokerage service based on cynical principles of mutual gain rather than values and allegiances. Kremlin Says U.S. Betrayed Kurds in Syria, Tells Kurds to Withdraw or Be Mauled "Now the Americans prefer to leave the Kurds at the border with Turkey and almost force them to fight the Turks," Kremlin spokesman said. Russia’s Military Police Announces Syria Frontline Patrols U.S. troops patrolled the same area northeast of Manbij 10 days ago.