Russia strikes tentative pact with Syrian rebels over bases
Russia has reached an informal agreement with the Syrian rebels, allowing it to maintain its presence in military bases in Hmeimim and Tartus, Bloomberg reports.
Russia believes it has an informal agreement with rebels from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which permits it to keep its military bases, according to Bloomberg. Russian forces have been stationed for years in bases in Hmeimim and Tartus, as a result of the support given to Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Although Russia actively participated in fighting HTS and other rebel groups, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said that Russia hopes to maintain the bases to continue "fighting international terrorism". He emphasized that the decision on the future of Russian troops in Syria has not yet been finalized.
The naval base in Tartus and the airbase in Hmeimim, located in the Latakia province, are crucial to Russian interests. Tartus is Russia's only port on the Mediterranean, which supports operations in Africa.
Changes in the perception of HTS
HTS, originating from the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, is recognized as a terrorist organization by the UN and the USA. However, the Biden administration is considering changing this classification if the new authorities in Syria fulfill promises regarding the protection of minorities. A shift is also observed in Moscow—Russian media and officials have stopped calling HTS terrorists after Assad's fall.
Pentagon Deputy Spokesperson Sabrina Singh notes that Russia is consolidating its forces in Syria, but there are no signs of them withdrawing. Russia continues to maintain its bases, which are strategically important for its presence in the region.
