Russia and Syria have signed a memorandum to transfer management of Hmeimim Air Base and Tartus Port, with a three-month transition period marking the most concrete step yet in the new Syrian government’s effort to renegotiate military agreements inherited from the Assad era. Hmeimim, located near Latakia on Syria’s Mediterranean coast, has served as Russia’s primary air base in the region since September 2015, while Tartus held 49-year utilization rights under a 2017 agreement. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has been leading a broader review of what he described as one-sided agreements dating back to the Assad regime. Both Russia and Syria have committed to maintaining functional ties throughout the negotiation process.
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