Russian military presence in Syria to continue for another 49 years

The Russian Parliament on December 21 voted to extend the lease of a naval base in Syria for another 49 years, just days after the country announced its troop withdrawal.

The State Duma (the lower house of Russia's parliament) has voted on a deal (proposed by Mr Putin) that would allow Moscow to keep 11 warships – including the nuclear-powered Pyotr Velikiy – at its Mediterranean naval base in Tartus for another 49 years.

On December 11, Mr. Putin visited the Hmeimim air base in Syria, ordering a “significant” part of the forces to be withdrawn from the country. However, the Russian leader also called on lawmakers to approve an agreement to expand the military port in Syria and station troops for another 49 years.

Three weeks ago, Russian State Duma spokesman Vyacheslav Volodin told TASS news agency: "We will do everything to get the agreement passed before the end of 2017."

Mr. Putin (right) attends a conference in Moscow on December 19. Photo: AP

The content of the agreement between Russia and Syria includes Moscow being allowed to leave 11 warships, build up an arsenal and improve infrastructure, with the aim of receiving larger warships.

"I hope that in the long term, Tartus will become a full-fledged military base," Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council's Defense and Security Committee Franz Klintsevich told RBC news channel.

Regarding the Tartus naval base, Russia has not officially recognized this base as a complete base but only considers it as an infrastructure to "support" the Russian Army operating in Syria.

Expert William Courtney from the RAND Corporation commented that Mr. Putin is determined to help Russia restore its role as a global power and the Middle East is an important region.

During a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in November, Mr. Putin declared that the Russian military had contributed to "saving Syria," while the Kremlin considered the air campaign launched by Moscow since 2015 to be more legitimate and successful than the campaign by the US-led coalition against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS).

According to Kienthuc.net.vn