Syria and Russia reached an agreement on August 9, 2026, restructuring Russia's presence at the Hmeimim air base and Tartous naval facility. The memorandum followed approximately 18 months of negotiations over the future of the installations after the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Under the agreement, Syria will assume control of civilian facilities associated with the two sites. Hmeimim airport and commercial facilities at Tartous are to be progressively integrated into Syrian civilian infrastructure, while military areas at both locations are to be converted into joint Syrian-Russian training and qualification centers.
The arrangement allows Russia to retain a military relationship with Syria while reducing the autonomous control it exercised over the facilities during Assad's government. Syrian authorities will also manage the commercial sections of Tartous port, including infrastructure that Russia had considered using for a logistics hub.
Russia established its major military presence in Syria during its intervention in the Syrian civil war in 2015. Hmeimim became the principal base for Russian air operations, while Tartous provided Russia with naval access to the Mediterranean Sea. The facilities also supported Russian military and logistical activities extending beyond Syria.
The agreement reflects changes in relations between Moscow and Damascus following Assad's departure. Syria's government has maintained diplomatic relations with Russia while simultaneously expanding relations with Western and Arab governments. The restructuring preserves Russian access and military cooperation while increasing Syrian authority over strategically important national infrastructure.
