Russian presence in Syria secured by rebel deal
Russia has reached an informal agreement with Syrian rebels that allows it to maintain a presence at military bases in Khmeimim and Tartus, Bloomberg reports.
Russia believes it has an informal agreement with the rebels from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (HTS), which allows it to maintain military bases, Bloomberg reports. Russian forces have been stationed at the bases in Khmeimim and Tartus for years as a result of the support provided to Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Despite Russia's active participation 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 emphasised that the decision on the future of Russian forces in Syria has not yet been made.
The naval base in Tartus and the air base in Khmeimim, located in the Latakia province, are crucial for Russian interests. Tartus is Russia's only port on the Mediterranean Sea, supporting operations in Africa.
Changes in the perception of HTS
HTS, stemming from the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, is recognised as a terrorist organisation by the UN and the US. However, the Biden administration is considering changing this classification if the new Syrian authorities fulfil promises regarding the protection of minorities. Changes are also visible in Moscow; Russian media and officials stopped calling HTS terrorists after Assad's fall.
Deputy Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh notes that Russia is consolidating its forces in Syria, but there are no signs of their withdrawal. Russia still maintains its bases, which is strategically important for its presence in the region.
