Syria Terminates Agreement with Russia to Manage Tartus Port

The Syrian government has reportedly terminated an agreement with Russian company Stroytransgaz, ending its management of the Tartus seaport. 

The deal, signed in 2019, was set to last 49 years. It was abruptly nullified, signaling a major change in the country's political and economic landscape.

“All revenue from the port’s operations will now serve the interests of the Syrian state,” Riad Joudi, head of customs in the Tartus governorate, told the local newspaper Al-Watan.

The agreement initially promised more than $500 million in investments for port modernization. Former Syrian Transport Minister Ali Hammoud described it as a critical step to boost Syria’s infrastructure while under financial strain. The Tartus port also serves as a critical logistics hub for Russia's military, alongside the Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia, forming the backbone of Moscow’s presence in Syria.

This development follows the recent collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government in late 2024, a sudden turn in Syria’s civil war. The swift advance of opposition forces led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) toppled Assad's regime, despite years of military support from Russia.

Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, has reportedly sought asylum in Russia. His government’s fall has shifted the regional balance of power, forcing Moscow to reconsider its position.

Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, said earlier that Moscow is in contact with Syria’s new authorities and hopes to reach an agreement to maintain its military presence in the country.

Russia’s involvement in Syria dates back to the civil war’s early days in 2011. It intensified in 2015 with direct military intervention to support Assad. Agreements signed in 2017 granted Moscow the control of the Tartus naval facility and Khmeimim Air Base until 2066. These sites have played a pivotal role in Russia's operations, both as logistical hubs and military stronghold in the Middle East.