Russia Signs Deal to Keep Air Base in Syria for Nearly 50 Years

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, reacts during a joint media conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in Savonlinna, Eastern Finland, on Thursday July 27, 2017. (Martti Kainulainen/Lehtikuva via AP)

OAN Newsroom
Russian President Vladimir Putin signs a law formalizing a deal with the Syrian government to keep an air base in Syria.
Putin approved the agreement Wednesday after it was supported by the Russian parliament earlier this month.
It now allows the Russian air group to use the air base in Latakia for 49 years free of charge.
The Russian air group used the air base since 2015 to help Syria fight against ISIS.
The deal could be extended for another 25 year period.