Russia negotiating with Syrian jihadists on military bases – TASS

Khmeimim and Tartus bases stationed until 2066 are reportedly operating as usual

Russia is negotiating with the new Syrian authorities on maintaining two of its military bases in the country, at Tartus and Khmeimim, TASS has reported.

Moscow and the Syrian jihadists who seized power in the country last weekend are currently discussing “maintaining Russia’s presence in Syria and its previous status,” according to agency sources reportedly familiar with the negotiations. “The Russian side has secured temporary security guarantees, so the military bases are operating as usual,” the source said. 

On December 9, a TASS source reported that the day before, armed formations of then-President Bashar Assad's opponents had established full control over the provinces of where Russia's bases are located, but had not invaded either of the compounds.

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The situation in Syria has rapidly deteriorated over the past two weeks, with assorted militants led by the Hayat Tahrir-al-Sham (HTS) jihadist group launching an offensive against the country’s troops, taking over major cities and ending up in Damascus. After the collapse of the Syrian military Assad fled the country, finding refuge in Russia.

According to a statement by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian diplomats have already discussed several issues with the HTS political committee, including “ensuring the security of our diplomatic mission and Russian citizens who are on the territory of Syria.”

In 2017, Moscow and Damascus agreed to the stationing of Russian troops at the Tartus and Khmeimim bases for a further 49 years.