Syria says it reached deal with Moscow on future of Russian bases

Syria and Russia have reached an agreement to reorganise Moscow’s military presence at two key facilities on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. Under the deal, Syria will take control of civilian facilities at the Hmeimim air base and the commercial pier at the port of Tartus. The military facilities will be transformed into joint Russian-Syrian training and qualification centres. The agreement marks a significant change to Russia’s longstanding military presence in Syria, while allowing Moscow to ret