Russian Duma approves expansion of naval base in Syria

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA

Russia’s State Duma -- lower house of parliament -- on Thursday ratified a deal with Syria on the expansion of a naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus on the eastern Mediterranean coast.

According to the country's official news agency TASS, the agreement will be valid for 49 years, allowing Russia to have 11 warships at a time stationed in the base.

The ratification came after Russian President Vladimir Putin on Dec. 13 submitted the deal for the Duma's approval.

The duration of the agreement will be automatically extended for 25 year periods, if no party opposes it, according to TASS.

Russia and Syria signed a deal in August 2015 for the permanent deployment of Russian warplanes and soldiers at the air base.

On Dec. 11, Putin ordered the start of a withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria, adding that the Tartus naval base and the Khmeimim Air Base would still be in use.