Syria Allows Russia to Expand Khmeimim Base to Treat Russian Troops

Khmeimim Air Base in Syria operated by the Russian forces is set to become prodigious with Damascus agreeing to transfer additional land and coastal waters, for expansion.

The agreement was signed by representatives of the two countries on July 21. Effective from July 30, it concerns an area of land (8 hectares) and sea (8 hectares) near Syria's northern Latakia province, a Russian government document published on August 19 showed.

The territory will be granted to Russia on a temporary basis and at no cost. It will be used as a "medical treatment and rehabilitation centre" for Russian troops.

Legal status of the Khmeimim Air Base is regulated by a treaty the concerning countries signed in 2015. About two years later, Russia announced its decision to turn it into a component of its permanent military contingent stationed in Syria.

Around November last year, several reports claimed that Russia was planning to lease a new military airbase in Qamishli city, north-eastern Syria, adjoining Turkish city of Nusaybin.