Russia has increased its military presence in Syria: what is it about?

Syria and Russia have signed a memorandum on the reorganization of the Russian presence on the Syrian coast, in particular regarding facilities in Hmeimim and Tartus. Some civilian facilities will be transferred to the management of the Syrian state, and Russian military bases are planned to be transformed into joint training and qualification centers.

This was reported by the Syrian state news agency SANA .

It is noted that the agreement was the result of negotiations that lasted about 18 months. The negotiations were conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Syria.

According to the memorandum, Syria will take over management of facilities designated as civilian, including the Khmeimim airport and the 4th commercial pier in the port of Tartus.

These facilities are planned to be gradually integrated into Syria’s civilian governance system.

At the same time, the parties agreed to change the format of using facilities that currently have military purposes. Russian military bases are planned to be transformed into joint training and advanced training centers.

According to the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the transition to the new format should be completed within 3 months at the latest. After that, new arrangements regarding the Russian presence will come into force.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry called the memorandum the most important event since the beginning of the negotiations and stated that it opens a new stage in Syrian-Russian relations.

Recall that Russia secretly sent a cargo ship to its air base in Syria to replenish supplies. This may indicate Russia’s intention to preserve the strategically important military facility under the country’s new government.

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