Syria makes deal to take control of Russian bases

{"text":[[{"start":8.32,"text":"Syria said on Sunday it had reached a deal to take control of two Russian military bases, largely ending Moscow’s military presence in the country."}],[{"start":17.12,"text":"Damascus’ foreign ministry said the deal would “reorganise Moscow’s presence” to give Syrian civilian authorities control of transport facilities at Hmeimim and Tartus, an airfield and naval base on the Mediterranean coast, state news agency Sana reported."}],[{"start":32.96,"text":"Russia’s military facilities at the bases will be “transformed into joint training and qualification centres” following a three-month transition period, according to the report."}],[{"start":42.72,"text":"The announcement appeared to mark a significant strategic blow for Russia, which had sought to keep the bases after Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa’s forces overthrew Moscow’s ally Bashar al-Assad in late 2024."}],[{"start":56.24,"text":"The signal of curbed Russian influence comes as the US is in the process of removing Syria from a decades-old state sponsors of terrorism list."}],[{"start":63.6,"text":"In a sign of Washington’s support for the new regime, Trump on July 8 informed Congress of his administration’s intent to end Syria’s designation, triggering a 45-day notification period."}],[{"start":null,"text":"

"}],[{"start":74.8,"text":"The Syrian foreign ministry said the deal followed 18 months of negotiations and “opens the way for a new phase” in the countries’ relations, according to Sana. The new arrangements are “aimed at safeguarding the interests of both countries,” the report said."}],[{"start":89.04,"text":"Syrian state media showed foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani touring the Latakia airport and Tartous port on Sunday."}],[{"start":96.353,"text":"The Syrian General Authority for Borders and Customs said the agreement stipulated that the Syrian side would take over commercial sites that Russia used to run inside Tartous port."}],[{"start":105.904,"text":"Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport said it had taken over administration of the Latakia airport and would renovate it."}],[{"start":115.28,"text":"Moscow did not immediately comment on the claims."}],[{"start":117.391,"text":"Russia had given Assad crucial financial and political backing from 2011, when his brutal crushing of a popular uprising led to a civil war. Moscow then intervened on the Syrian regime’s side in 2015."}],[{"start":130.16,"text":"But the region’s importance to Russia began to fade after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine began in 2022."}],[{"start":136.065,"text":"When Sharaa’s group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, began the offensive that would topple Assad’s regime two years later, Russia largely stood by, carrying out only a small number of symbolic air strikes that did nothing to halt the rebel advance."}],[{"start":149.865,"text":"The bases remained crucial staging posts for Russia’s operations in Africa and its presence in the Mediterranean even after it evacuated hundreds of military and civilian personnel following Assad’s ousting."}],[{"start":162.482,"text":"Russian President Vladimir Putin granted asylum to Assad and his family while still seeking to build a relationship with Sharaa, the former leader of one of the rebel groups Russia’s forces had fought in the civil war."}],[{"start":175.44,"text":"Putin indicated his willingness to reset the two countries’ relations when Sharaa visited the Kremlin for talks last October."}],[{"start":180.606,"text":"In a subsequent meeting in January, Putin told Sharaa that Russia backed Syria’s efforts to reclaim control over its territory in the north-east held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Russia began withdrawing troops from Qamishli, a base near the area’s airport, shortly before the meeting."}],[{"start":197.992,"text":"Putin also said Russia was prepared to help Syria’s efforts to rebuild areas damaged by the fighting and restore its economy."}],[{"start":204.4,"text":"Syria still relies heavily on Russian oil for its energy. Last week, Reuters reported that Damascus had conveyed its readiness to reduce Russian oil imports as part of the ongoing sanctions-lifting discussions."}],[{"start":219.44,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1786328280_6448.mp3"}