Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani visited the bases Sunday to inspect facilities covered by the memorandum, according to SANA. Russia provided crucial military support to Assad during Syria’s civil war and operated Hmeimim and Tartus as key centers for its military operations. Assad’s ouster in late 2024 weakened Moscow’s position in Syria and raised questions about the future of its forces there. Al-Sharaa has visited Moscow twice since taking power in January 2025. Damascus has previously demanded that Russia extradite al-Assad, who has been living in Moscow with his family since his government collapsed in December 2024.