Syria, Russia reach MoU on future of Russian military bases

Syria and Russia have reached a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the future of Russia's military presence at the Hmeimim air base and the Tartous naval facility, following about 18 months of intensive negotiations, Syrian authorities said Sunday.

The two countries agreed that military bases and other military facilities will be redefined as joint training and qualification centers under new arrangements aimed at safeguarding mutual interests, Syrian state news agency SANA reported. The MoU sets a timeframe of no more than three months to complete the transition, after which the new arrangements will take effect, it reported.