Moscow reaches out to new Syrian leadership in move to secure bases
GuardianDec 08
Report: Russia Nears Deal with New Syrian Leadership over Military Bases
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Above: A Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft lands at the Russian military base of Hmeimim, located southeast of the city of Latakia in Hmeimim, Syria, on Sept. 26, 2019. Image copyright: Mixime Popov/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Russia's defense ministry is nearing an agreement with Syria's new leadership over the fate of its two military bases in the country, a number of sources told Bloomberg on Thursday.
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government last weekend, questions arose about Russia's ongoing presence at the Tartous naval base and the Hmeimim air base — both located on Syria's west coast on the Mediterranean.
The Spin
Pro-Russia narrative
Russian diplomats have established contact with representatives of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham and are engaging with them on a number of issues to protect Russian interests in the region.
Pro-establishment narrative
After initially branding them terrorists, Russia now realizes it will have to negotiate with Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham if they're to keep their bases. They're likely to offer them a number of resources such as money and oil and gas, but it's not clear whether they will be successful.
