Moscow, December 14, 2024 – The Europe Today: Russia is currently in negotiations with the newly established Syrian authorities regarding the continued operation of two of its key military bases in Syria, located at Tartus and Khmeimim, TASS reported. The discussions are focused on maintaining Russia’s military presence in the country and upholding the status of these bases, which are vital for Russia’s strategic interests in the region.
According to sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations, Moscow has secured temporary security guarantees to ensure the bases continue to function as usual. Despite the recent upheaval in Syria, Russian military operations remain unaffected for the time being.
On December 9, TASS reported that armed groups, including jihadist forces opposed to President Bashar Assad, had seized full control over the provinces where Russia’s military bases are located. However, no attacks were reported on either of the Russian-controlled bases.
The situation in Syria has deteriorated sharply over the past two weeks, as various militant factions, led by the Hayat Tahrir-al-Sham (HTS) jihadist group, launched a broad offensive against Syrian government forces. This campaign has led to the capture of major cities and the group’s advance towards Damascus. Following the collapse of the Syrian military, President Assad fled the country and sought refuge in Russia.
In response to the rapidly changing dynamics, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov stated that Russian diplomats have already held discussions with the HTS political committee. The focus of these talks has been on ensuring the safety of Russian diplomatic missions and citizens in Syria.
The Russian military’s presence in Syria dates back to a 2017 agreement between Moscow and Damascus, which granted Russia permission to station troops at the Tartus and Khmeimim bases for a period of 49 years.
