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The Syrian government is open to allowing Russia to keep its two main military bases on the country’s coast, Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra told The Washington Post on February 6.
The bases in question are the naval base in Tartus port and the Hmeimim air base close to the city of Jableh. Thousands of Russian troops are thought to be still deployed there, in addition to a smaller post in al-Qamishli airport in the northeast of the country.
According to Abu Qasra, Syria would consider allowing Moscow to keep the bases as long as the deal served Damascus’ interests.
“If we get benefits for Syria out of this, yes,” the minister said.
Russia’s stance toward the new Syrian government, too, has “improved significantly” since Assad’s overthrow in December, Abu Qasra told The Washington Post.
“In politics, there are no permanent enemies,” he noted.
Last month, a senior Russian delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, paid a visit to Damascus and met with President Ahamad al-Sharaa. The future of the two bases was discussed. The Syrian leadership also asked Moscow to “address past mistakes” during the talks.
Speaking to Sputnik earlier in the week, Syrian Interior Minister Kaddah said that talks on Russian military presence in the country were still ongoing and that the results will be announced immediately after their completion.
While the recent remarks by both Abu Qasra and Kaddah are positive for Russia, it is still too early to assume that the country will keep its two main bases in Syria.
The country’s government has been under some pressure, mainly from the European Union, to remove the bases. At the same time, the government appears to be well aware that Russia could offer Syria serious help, especially in the military and energy fields.
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ruszki gyerek bevered mindenkinek…???!!!
the maintenance of both russian bases brings money and a certain stability to the country, but unfortunately also the recognition of the sunni criminal regime, which is now in power in damascus
these bases are not important to russia, which should just abandon them. syria needs russia. russia does not need syria. a lot of the civil infrastructure depends on russia. syria is heavily indebted to russia. syria needs russia to play off against other factions in the area. russia should just cut its losses, let chumpo, erdogan and nutteryahoo cope with all the chaos.