Russian military bases in Syria to become joint training centres — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): Syria and Russia have agreed to reorganise Moscow’s presence along the Syrian coast, including transferring civilian facilities to Syrian state management and converting Russian military bases into joint training centres, Syria’s Foreign Ministry said. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that the agreement followed around 18 months of intensive negotiations between Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates and the Russian side. It sets out the future status of Russian facilities at Hmeimim and Tartous. Under the agreement, Syria will take over the management of facilities designated for civilian use, including Hmeimim Airport and the fourth commercial berth at Tartous Port, which will gradually be integrated into the country’s civilian administration. The agreement also redefines the role of military facilities, with Russian military bases to be converted into joint training and capacity-building centres under the new arrangements, according to the report. Syria’s Foreign Ministry said the transfer process would be completed within a maximum of three months, after which the new arrangements would take effect. The ministry described the agreement as the most significant development since negotiations began around 18 months ago, saying it would pave the way for a new phase in relations between Syria and Russia.