Syria to turn former Russian naval base into army training center

Key facilities on the Mediterranean coast will be integrated into the Syrian military training system after the reduction of the Russian presence.

Syria intends to transform the remnants of Russian military infrastructure, including naval bases, into training centers for its own army. This was stated by the country’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

This primarily concerns two strategic facilities on the Mediterranean coast – the naval base in Tartus and the Hmeimim air base, which remain the last strongholds of Russia in the country.

“Among dozens of bases, only two remain, and we are trying to turn them into bases for training the Syrian army,” the Syrian leader noted.

The base in Tartus has long been the only full-fledged base for the Russian fleet in the Mediterranean, providing logistics, repair and maintenance of ships. Its transformation actually means the loss of a key naval bridgehead for Russia in the region.

After the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024, Russia began a phased withdrawal of its military presence. During 2025–2026, the Russians left most of the outposts and auxiliary bases, and their activity focused only on coastal facilities.

In particular, Russian forces withdrew from a number of positions in northern and eastern Syria, and also left a base near the Al-Qamishli airport, which was used as a logistics hub and control point for the region.

Despite this, a limited contingent of the Russian Federation is still present at two main bases. It is estimated that from several hundred to about a thousand military personnel remain there – mainly technical personnel and security.

Recall that after the lifting of US sanctions, DP World began managing the Syrian port of Tartus.