Media: Russia plans to retain naval, air bases in Syria

Russia is expected to maintain a smaller military presence in Syria, a significant goal for President Vladimir Putin after the fall of the Assad regime he supported.

Moscow is reportedly nearing an agreement with the new Syrian government that would allow it to keep some personnel and equipment in the country, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

According to sources, Russia aims to retain the naval and air bases it used in Syria until President Ahmed Al-Sharaa's rebel-led offensive ousted Bashar al-Assad last year. Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov did not respond to requests for comment, and it was not immediately possible to verify the information with officials from Syria's transitional government. While there is no guarantee the ongoing negotiations will lead to an agreement, the historic phone call between the Syrian president and Putin indicates significant progress.

A finalized deal would represent Russia’s second major foreign policy win this month, following the US announcement of peace talks with Moscow over the Ukraine conflict. This development also signals improved relations between Moscow and Syria's new leadership, as President Assad—who survived the civil war thanks to Russia’s steadfast backing—remains in exile in Moscow. 

Russia's continued presence could help in combating the Islamic State, which operates in Syria's east, and strengthen Syria's position against Türkiye's growing influence in the region. Many European officials have advocated for the withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria. However, some southern European countries are concerned that Russia might shift its focus to Libya if it loses its naval and air bases in Syria. These military facilities have been crucial in allowing Russia to exert influence in both Africa and the Middle East, and their loss would represent a significant setback for the Kremlin. Since the fall of Assad, several global powers have vied for influence in Syria. 

While Iran and Russia—key supporters of the former leader—have seen their influence wane, countries like Türkiye, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have forged strong ties with President al-Sharaa. Türkiye is backing allied forces in northern Syria and is contemplating the establishment of military bases there, while Qatar and Saudi Arabia are likely to fund Syria’s reconstruction efforts. Israel, on the other hand, remains cautious about the Syrian government due to its Islamist associations and is focused on maintaining its troops in a demilitarized zone along the border, which it views as a necessary defensive measure. 

Moscow's attempts to secure a deal with al-Sharaa to retain control of Tartus, its sole Mediterranean port, and the nearby Hmeimim air base faced challenges in January. In response, President Putin indicated a willingness to contribute to Syria's reconstruction. During their phone conversation last week, Putin informed al-Sharaa that he was prepared to offer assistance and support vital trade to help strengthen Syria’s devastated economy. Shortly after, Syria's central bank received fresh local currency from Russia to address a cash shortage, as reported by Syria's primary news agency. 

Syria continues to face a severe lack of funds for reconstruction, and the new government has inherited billions of dollars in debts to both Russia and Iran, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani revealed in an interview with the Financial Times last month.

By Naila Huseynova