Moscow to turn syria permanent BASE.

Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister Nikolai Pankov said Moscow plans to turn its naval facility in the Syrian port of Tartus into a permanent military base. According to Pankov, both sides have entered negotiations to reach an agreement on an expanded permanent base for the Russian army.

“The degree of willingness is high enough and we hope that we can soon ratify these documents,” said Pankov. 

Pankov said on Oct. 7 that Moscow is considering reopening military bases in former Soviet-aligned states Cuba and Vietnam.

Tartus is on the Syrian coast and controlled by Syrian President Bashar Assad.