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Syria, Russia Sign MOU Ending Russian Control of Bases

8/12/2026

49 6 Full Breakdown

Center

Syria, Russia Agree

Syria and Russia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 9 August 2026 to end Russian control of the Hmeimim air base and Tartus naval base.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the agreement is an important step to improve bilateral military cooperation.
A Syrian source said some Russian troops will stay at the training centres, numbers undisclosed.
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa met President Vladimir Putin in Moscow twice, discussing the bases.

Left

Syria Reclaims Bases

Syria and Russia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 9 August 2026 to end Russian control of the Hmeimim air base and Tartus naval base.
The deal is presented as a step toward restoring Syrian sovereignty over its territory and civilian infrastructure.
Syria will take over civilian management of Khmeimim airport and Tartus’s fourth commercial pier.
A Syrian official said the deal could improve Damascus’s U.S. image and aid lifting sanctions.

Blindspot

Blindspot

A Syrian official said the agreement could improve Damascus’s image in Washington and support lifting the remaining U.S. sanctions.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

The Soviet Union’s 1976 Treaty of Friendship gave Moscow control of Syria’s Hmeimim airfield and Tartus naval base, stationing about 1,000 Soviet personnel and pledging $500 million for upgrades. After Russia succeeded the USSR in 1992 and secured a 49-year free-use pact for Tartus in 2017, the 2026 memorandum signed by President Vladimir Putin and interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa revives that Cold-War framework with local oversight.

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Syria, Russia Agree

Syria and Russia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 9 August 2026 to end Russian control of the Hmeimim air base and Tartus naval base.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the agreement is an important step to improve bilateral military cooperation.
A Syrian source said some Russian troops will stay at the training centres, numbers undisclosed.
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa met President Vladimir Putin in Moscow twice, discussing the bases.

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