Syria said yesterday that it reached a deal with Moscow on the fate of Russia’s two bases in the country, which it once used to provide military support to ousted leader Bashar al-Assad during the Syrian civil war. Russia was a key Assad ally during Syria’s 13-year conflict, and provided vital military support that kept the former leader’s forces in power. Both the Hmeimim and Tartus bases had remained operational while talks were ongoing. Syria has expressed a willingness to cooperate with Moscow, and President Ahmed al-Sharaa has been received by Putin in Moscow twice since taking over. Damascus, however, has repeatedly demanded that Russia extradite Assad, who has been sheltering in Moscow with his wife since his ouster.