Russia Says Syria Base Deal Will Boost Ties, Source Says Some Russian Forces Will Stay
A Russian military aircraft approaches the Hmeimim air base in Syria’s coastal Latakia, Syria, Dec. 15, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Umit Bektas Russia ‘s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that a deal reached with Syria on the…
Assessment
Moscow and Damascus have formalized an understanding on the status of Russian military installations at Tartous and Hmeimim, signaling continuity in their strategic relationship despite earlier uncertainty following shifts in Syria. The Russian Foreign Ministry frames the deal as a bilateral boost, while an unnamed Syrian source confirms some Russian troops will remain. The precise terms remain unclear, leaving room for questions about how this arrangement affects regional power balances and the leverage of other actors.