The incoming Syria administration has cut off from an age-old accord, permitting military service by Russia within the crucial Mediterranean port of Tartus, a major departure in foreign relations for Syria. Reported exclusively by the Syrian opposition publication Shaam, citing the Ministry of Information, it ends Russia’s only naval base outside the former Soviet Union.
Originally signed in 2017 under the then-ousted President Bashar al-Assad administration, the deal provided for the Russian company Stroytransgaz to lease Tartus port for 49 years at no financial cost to Syria. The agreement allowed Moscow to place a most crucial foothold in the Mediterranean, significantly enhancing its military and geopolitical influence in the region. The new Syrian government, which has taken Siberia power following the toppling of Assad, has set upon nullification.
It is also reported that the cancellation of the deal would mean revenues from the port would thus go into the Syrian coffers, not into Russian hands. While the previous deal enabled Moscow to take reportedly 65% of the profit made by the facility, now a Syrian official hints that they are pondering initiating an inquiry that may enable determining how this agreement might have impacted the country’s economy while it was being executed.
The choice shows Syria’s new leaders trying to move away from Moscow’s grip. Since Syria’s war began in 2011, Russia helped Assad stay in power with troops and money. But now, with new leaders in Damascus, Syria is rethinking its friends and goals. It looks to take back control over places like Tartus.
This move also ties to more global push on Syria to cut down Russia’s hold. Some EU countries have been pushing the new Syrian leaders to shut Russian bases to fix ties. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters in December that removing Russian military presence should be a precondition for engagement with Damascus.
Analysts believe the decision to terminate the Tartus deal could reshape Syria’s geopolitical landscape. “This is a clear signal that the new government in Damascus is seeking to realign itself and assert greater independence,” commented a regional expert. “Tartus has been a symbol of Russia’s leverage in Syria, and its closure would represent a major setback for Moscow’s ambitions in the Mediterranean.”
For Russia, the loss of Tartus is a blow to its strategic positioning. The port has been central to Russia’s naval operations in the Mediterranean, providing logistical support to its fleet and serving as a hub for its regional military activities. Without it, Moscow’s ability to project power in the region could be significantly diminished.
The decision has also sparked debate within Syria, with some viewing it as a necessary step toward regaining control over national resources, while others caution against alienating a longtime ally. Regardless of the internal disagreements, the annulment of the Tartus deal underscores the shifting dynamics of Syria’s foreign policy in the wake of its leadership change.
As the dust settles, all eyes will be on how Russia responds and whether Syria’s pivot away from Moscow will lead to closer ties with other regional and global powers. For now, the decision marks a turning point in Syria’s efforts to navigate its complex web of alliances and assert its sovereignty in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
