According to reports, a Russian army caravan was stopped from accessing Syria’s Tartus navy station. It’s the most recent sign that the two former allies are no longer on good terms. The action was taken when Russian forces were still leaving Tartus. It happened after former president Assad was abruptly overthrown by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s offensive in December 2024.
According to TRT media, the defense ministry of Syria has blocked a Russian army caravan from reaching the Tartus facility. From the Khmeimim airfield in the region of Latakia, a convoy of thirty trucks equipped with missiles departed. Soldiers working under the new Syrian administration stopped them at an entry point in Tartus. The caravan was compelled to go back to the Khmeimim base after less than half a day.
Social media users shared a footage of Syrian soldiers telling the truck to change its direction and return to Khmeimim. In their launching tubes, the vehicles seem like caring missiles. This path has often been used by Russian forces to transport items and weapons from Khmeimim to Tartus.
Russia’s main air station in Syria is Khmeimim, and when Assad was overthrown, they were operating a significant naval port in Tartus. The Russian cargo was refused access to Tartus without providing a particular explanation. It did, however, occur “in the midst of recent comments by the Syrian new Defense Minister,” according to TRT. According to Murhaf Abu Kasra, the advantages of Russian facilities for Syria will determine if they will be maintained in the future.
The existence of Russian facilities inside Syria and Syrian ports is still up for debate between Russia and Syria. The discussions were validated by a British Defense Intelligence report. It’s quite likely that Russia is still actively pursuing connections with HTS. According to the report, Russia intended to portray itself as a useful partner. Moscow stands in a disadvantaged bargaining stance for a number of reasons. One of the main causes is the hostility of the Syrian government for Bashar al-Assad, the previous Syrian ruler. Moscow is now providing sanctuary to Assad.
Will Russia Remain in Syria?
Moscow still has a strong desire to remain in Syria even if it is currently withdrawing from the country. The country has operational and geopolitical resilience in NATO’s vicinity thanks to a port and air facility on the Syrian territories.
These installations also serve its defense and defense goals in Africa and farther into the Persian Gulf region. In the meantime, the reinstatement of Russia’s modern air defense systems would be advantageous for Syria.
As a backer of HTS’ unexpected toppling of firmer regime in Syria, Turkey further complicates this matter. Ankara wishes to increase its power in Syria. Partly because of pressure from Ankara, Russia and Syria have yet to achieve an agreement.
Other reports by local outlets in Syria are also in line with the recent activities occurring close to Tartus. The Russian 49-year contract on its Tartus facility was terminated by the country’s new Damascus administration. Assad government and the Russian president had made the agreement 8 years ago.
It had effectively given Khmeimim Air Base and the naval station to the Russian forces. The Russian military intervened in the nation two years prior, in 2015. It had prevented opposition troops from marching on Assad. Rebel troops were still being vigorously fought by Russian soldiers. Before the regime’s downfall, these troops comprised components of the HTS-led alliance.
Two ships sailing the Russian flag were laden with supplies during the course of the Russian departure from Tartus. On Tuesday, they both passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and have arrived off the coast of Spain. While Sparta II is its route to the Russian pocket of Kaliningrad, Sparta itself is destined for St. Petersburg.
