Russian convoy resupplies Syria coastal facilities for first time since Moscow-Damascus deal

A convoy of Russian naval and cargo vessels delivered supplies last week to coastal facilities long used by Moscow’s military, two sources familiar with the operation said, in the first such mission since Damascus and Moscow agreed last month on the future of Russia’s military presence in the country.

The operation offers an early indication that Moscow is continuing to resupply facilities at Tartous port and the Hmeimim airbase under the new deal, which provides for civilian facilities used by Russia to be transferred to Syrian control and military sites to be turned into joint training centres.

Russian forces are to remain at the bases under the agreement. Russia has used Hmeimim and Tartous to project power across the Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa. Tartous provides Moscow with its only naval repair and replenishment facility in the Mediterranean.

Moscow has supplied both sites in recent months but last week's was the first since the August 9 agreement was announced.