Russia Discusses 'Reformatting' of Military Facilities in Syria Following Assad's Ouster
Russia's Foreign Ministry announced it is in talks with Syria's new government about a possible restructuring of its military bases in the country, particularly the Tartous naval base and Hmeimim airbase. The discussions follow the December 2024 ouster of longtime Russian ally Bashar al-Assad and the rise of Ahmed al-Sharaa as Syria's new president. The outcome is significant because these bases are Russia's only military installations outside the former Soviet Union and critical to its Mediterranean and African operations.
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated on Wednesday that Moscow is discussing a "possible reformatting" of its military facilities in Syria with the new Syrian government. The talks come after the December 2024 fall of Bashar al-Assad, a close Russian ally whom Moscow had supported since 2015, and the subsequent rise of Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former rebel commander, as Syria's president. Russia has successfully begun building relations with the new Syrian leadership despite Assad's asylum in Moscow. The Tartous naval base and Hmeimim airbase are Russia's only military bases outside the former Soviet Union, with Tartous serving as Russia's sole Mediterranean repair and resupply hub and Hmeimim functioning as a major staging post for military and mercenary operations in Africa. Reports suggest Tartous may be converted into a logistics hub for Russian imports into Syria, though Zakharova indicated that specific details fall under the Defense Ministry's purview.
What different sources said
- The Straits TimesCenter
Russia says it is discussing 'reformatting' of military facilities in Syria
- The Moscow TimesCenter
Russia in Talks With Syria to ‘Reformat’ Military Bases
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