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// DOSSIER — russian-syrian-reorganize-hmeimim-tartus-military-bases
Russian and Syrian Presidents Discuss Reorganization of Hmeimim and Tartus Military Bases
REL_TIME: 28 Aug 2026 00:14Z · LANG: EN
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa held a phone call on August 26, 2026, to discuss the implementation of an August 9 memorandum of understanding aimed at reorganizing Russia's military presence at the Hmeimim Air Base and Tartus Logistics Facility. The agreement, negotiated over 18 months following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, transitions civilian port and airport facilities to Syrian state control and transforms military installations into joint training centers within three months. During the call—the first contact between the leaders since January 2026—Putin reaffirmed Russia's support for Syria's sovereignty and post-conflict reconstruction, while Damascus noted Moscow's opposition to Israeli strikes on Syrian territory.
// Background
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024, the newly established Syrian government led by Ahmad al-Sharaa engaged in 18 months of negotiations with Moscow to redefine the status of Russian military assets. Under Assad, Russia held 49-year leases for autonomous operations at Hmeimim Air Base and Tartus naval base. The August 9, 2026 memorandum ends autonomous Russian base control, returning civilian facilities to Syria and converting military areas into joint training capacity, while Damascus continues to seek the extradition of Assad from Moscow.
// Key Developments
- Phone call on August 26, 2026, marked the first known contact between Vladimir Putin and Ahmad al-Sharaa since January 2026.
- Discussion focused on the August 9 memorandum of understanding reorganizing Hmeimim Air Base and Tartus Logistics Facility.
- The memorandum establishes a maximum three-month timeline to transfer civilian operations to Syrian state administration and convert military facilities into joint training centers.
- Kremlin reaffirmed support for Syria's unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and post-conflict normalization.
- Syria highlighted Russia's rejection of Israeli military attacks that violate Syrian sovereignty.
// Timeline
-
Soviet Union establishes a naval support facility at Tartus via lease agreement with Syria.
-
Russia intervenes militarily in the Syrian civil war, establishing Hmeimim Air Base.
-
Assad regime signs a 49-year lease agreement granting Russia broad concessions at Tartus and Hmeimim.
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Bashar al-Assad is ousted from power by forces led by Ahmad al-Sharaa and flees to Moscow.
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Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa visits Moscow for discussions with President Vladimir Putin.
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Syria and Russia sign a Memorandum of Understanding to reorganize military presence at Hmeimim and Tartus.
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Putin and Sharaa hold a phone call to review the implementation of the August 9 memorandum and broader bilateral relations.
// Perspectives
[Syrian Presidency / Government]
Seeks full sovereign control over civilian port and airport assets while reorganizing Russian military sites into joint training centers under Syrian regulations.
[Russian Government / Kremlin]
Supports Syria's unity and territorial integrity while securing a continued, pragmatic presence and cooperation through bilateral agreements following Assad's ouster.
// Quotes
“principled position in support of the unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty”
“joint training and capacity-building centers, within new arrangements that preserve mutual interests”
“an important step toward restoring and operating Syrian airports and reintegrating them into the national civil aviation system”
