Russia maintains operational control of its Khmeimim and Tartus bases in Syria, secured under a lease agreement extending to 2066.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani suggested the possibility of a future Syrian-Russian relationship contingent on Moscow’s efforts to cultivate one.
In a Friday interview on Syria TV, al-Julani stated that the Syrian leadership had been careful to avoid antagonizing Russia.
Following a two-week offensive by HTS militants in November, resulting in the seizure of major Syrian cities and the eventual fall of Damascus, President Assad fled to Russia for asylum.
Al-Julani further asserted that the new Syrian government is open to reassessing its relationship with Russia to foster mutual benefit, emphasizing the need for careful management of relations with other nations.
Sources within TASS, reportedly privy to ongoing negotiations, indicate that Moscow and Syrian militants are currently discussing the preservation of Russia’s Syrian presence and its previous status. A Friday report by the agency stated that Moscow has established temporary security guarantees ensuring the continued operation of its military bases.
The Khmeimim Air Base and a logistics support center in Tartus are situated on Syria’s western Mediterranean coast. A 49-year agreement for the stationing of Russian troops at these bases was reached between Moscow and Damascus in 2017.
The future of the Khmeimim and Tartus bases was uncertain following the militant takeover of Damascus. However, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov confirmed that Russian diplomats have already engaged in discussions on this matter with the HTS political committee.