Russia is reportedly nearing a deal with Syria to maintain a limited military presence in the country after the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 17, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Since Assad’s overthrow in December, Russia has begun withdrawing military assets from Syria, raising doubts about its future role in the region.
The Kremlin is seeking continued access to the naval base in Tartus and the Khmeimim airbase, which have served as key military footholds in the region.
Russia deployed troops to Syria in 2015 to bolster Assad’s regime, which used Moscow’s backing, in the form of ground troops and aerial bombardment, to gain the upper hand in the country’s protracted civil war.
In exchange for maintaining its military facilities, Moscow may assist Damascus in countering the Islamic State group, which remains active in eastern Syria, according to Bloomberg…
