Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip

Damascus authorities terminate Russian contract for Tartus port

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 23 Jan 2025 00:04
  • 5 Shares
3 Min Read

The new Syrian authorities are reportedly working to boost commercial activity at the port by cutting customs fees by 60%.

Listen
  • x
  • A navy missile ship departs the Russian naval facility in Tartus, Syria. AP
    A navy missile ship departs the Russian naval facility in Tartus, Syria. (AP)

Syria's transitional government has taken a decisive step to reduce Russian influence by canceling a long-standing contract with a Russian company managing the Tartus port. Riyad Judi, director of the customs department in Tartus, confirmed the development to al-Watan newspaper on Monday, noting that the revenues from the port would now go entirely to the Syrian state.

The agreement, originally signed in 2019 under Bashar al-Assad's government, granted the Russian firm Stroytransgaz control over the port for 49 years. In return, the company would invest $500 million in the port, keeping 65% of the profits while the Syrian government retained the remaining 35%.

The Tartus port, Syria's second-largest after Latakia, is a critical Mediterranean hub with a capacity of four million tons annually and home to Russia's only naval base in the region. Established in 1971 by the Soviet Union and later expanded in 2017, the base has served as a strategic outpost for Russian military operations in the Middle East.

The new Syrian authorities are reportedly working to boost commercial activity at the port by cutting customs fees by 60%. Judi highlighted the "excellent" activity at Tartus, with ships from Syria, Arab nations, and international operators transporting goods like iron, sugar, and carbonates.

Related News

2 killed, 11 injured in armed attack on passenger bus in Syria

Israeli forces raid Syrian military barracks in Quneitra: SOHR

Balancing Russian ties amid western pressure

The decision to cancel the contract comes as Syria's new leadership faces mounting pressure from Western nations to sever ties with Moscow in exchange for easing economic sanctions. European officials have reportedly linked the lifting of sanctions to Syria distancing itself from Russia.

However, Syria's leadership has so far resisted calls to cut ties with Moscow. Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the transitional government, previously affirmed Syria's strategic partnership with Russia during an interview with Al Arabiya, calling Russia "the second most powerful state in the world" and highlighting the long-standing relationship between the two nations.

Read more: Syria's new leadership asserts strategic alliance with Russia

Coinciding with the contract termination, the Russian cargo ship Sparta II docked at Tartus after reportedly waiting offshore for two weeks. Media reports suggest the ship carried military equipment, though these claims remain unverified. The docking indicates Russia's continued presence and influence in Syria, even as the new government recalibrates its foreign policy.

Future of Russian military bases

The fate of Russia's military bases in Syria—Tartus and Khmeimim—remains uncertain. Reports suggest Russia has redeployed some assets to other Middle Eastern locations, including Libya, following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Despite this, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has noted that Moscow remains in contact with Syria's transitional government to ensure the continued operation of its bases and broader cooperation.

Russian officials have underscored the strategic importance of their presence in Syria, citing the Tartus naval base and Khmeimim airbase as critical assets for regional stability and counterterrorism operations. Bogdanov has reiterated that Russia's military presence will not be abandoned and remains essential to its broader geopolitical goals in the Middle East.

  • Syria
  • Tartus
  • Russia
  • Russian naval base
  • Tartus port
  • HTS

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Saudi's PIF refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism
Economy

Saudi Arabia's fund refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike.
Politics

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike

Israel fortifies Gaza’s "yellow line," prepares to dig in.
Politics

'Israel' fortifies Gaza’s 'yellow line,' prepares to dig in: WSJ

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as he travels from Tokyo, Japan, to South Korea, on October 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Asia

Trump’s weak dollar strategy risks global fallout: Forbes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS