Syria Ends Lease Agreement, Russian Naval Fleet to Withdraw
Syria terminates Tartus port lease, ending decades-long Russian naval presence.
Syria's new government announced on Monday the termination of the lease agreement for the Tartus port, compelling the withdrawal of the Russian Navy, according to Syrian media sources.
The Tartus port has been Russia's only naval base outside the former Soviet Union, playing a crucial role in Moscow's Mediterranean military presence.
Reports from the Saam opposition media and the Syrian Ministry of Information declared the agreement nullified.
A military cargo vessel, previously stationed off the coast, has docked at the Russian fleet's pier, with military vehicles anticipated to evacuate.
Riad Joudi, director of Tartus Customs, confirmed the termination, attributing it to underutilization due to restrictions and high service fees.
The Damascene transitional government plans to reorganize operations for increased efficiency, as stated in Al-Watan.
The 2019 agreement had extended Russia's lease by 49 years in exchange for a promised $500 million investment in port modernization by 2023, an obligation Syrian officials claim was unmet.
Revenues from operations, previously split with Russia retaining 65%, will now serve the Syrian state.
The Brexit-based platform Euractiv noted the European Union's actions to press the new Syrian government for the closure of Russian military bases following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad on December 8.
The Tartus naval base was integral to Russia's military and geopolitical strategies since 1977, enabling monitoring of NATO activities in the Mediterranean and supporting operations since the 2015 intervention in the Syrian civil war.
Russia used the facility to monitor NATO activities and supported operations across the region, including the activities of the Wagner Group.
Following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, forces were reallocated from key bases in Latakia and Tartus.
The developments indicate a shift in Syria's foreign policy, marked by banning Iranian, Russian, and Israeli imports as reported by Al Arabiya.
The Syrian pound appreciated post-Assad, supported by new economic measures from the transitional government.
The EU announced a €235 million aid package to Syria and neighboring countries as the transitional government seeks to lift former regime sanctions.
The Tartus port has been Russia's only naval base outside the former Soviet Union, playing a crucial role in Moscow's Mediterranean military presence.
Reports from the Saam opposition media and the Syrian Ministry of Information declared the agreement nullified.
A military cargo vessel, previously stationed off the coast, has docked at the Russian fleet's pier, with military vehicles anticipated to evacuate.
Riad Joudi, director of Tartus Customs, confirmed the termination, attributing it to underutilization due to restrictions and high service fees.
The Damascene transitional government plans to reorganize operations for increased efficiency, as stated in Al-Watan.
The 2019 agreement had extended Russia's lease by 49 years in exchange for a promised $500 million investment in port modernization by 2023, an obligation Syrian officials claim was unmet.
Revenues from operations, previously split with Russia retaining 65%, will now serve the Syrian state.
The Brexit-based platform Euractiv noted the European Union's actions to press the new Syrian government for the closure of Russian military bases following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad on December 8.
The Tartus naval base was integral to Russia's military and geopolitical strategies since 1977, enabling monitoring of NATO activities in the Mediterranean and supporting operations since the 2015 intervention in the Syrian civil war.
Russia used the facility to monitor NATO activities and supported operations across the region, including the activities of the Wagner Group.
Following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, forces were reallocated from key bases in Latakia and Tartus.
The developments indicate a shift in Syria's foreign policy, marked by banning Iranian, Russian, and Israeli imports as reported by Al Arabiya.
The Syrian pound appreciated post-Assad, supported by new economic measures from the transitional government.
The EU announced a €235 million aid package to Syria and neighboring countries as the transitional government seeks to lift former regime sanctions.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
