Damascus, 25 January 2025: A Russian company’s contract to manage the port of Tartous, inked under former President Bashar al-Assad, has been annulled by Syria’s new administration, according to three Syrian businessmen and local media outlets. Government officials have not confirmed the decision.
Syrian newspaper Al-Watan quoted Riad Joudy, the head of Tartous customs, who said on Thursday that the agreement with Russian firm STG Stroytransgaz was terminated due to the company’s failure to meet its contractual obligations, which included infrastructure investments. The 2019 deal had tasked STG Stroytransgaz, a major construction firm, with modernizing Tartous, Syria’s second-largest commercial port after Latakia.
Separate from the military agreement for Russia’s naval base in Tartous—a facility established by the Soviet Union in the 1970s—this investment deal marked a key aspect of Moscow’s economic footprint in Syria. One of the Syrian businessmen confirming the cancellation works at the port, underscoring local frustration over unmet expectations.
As relations shift under Syria’s new leadership, discussions between Moscow and Damascus focus on redefining the Russian military presence in the country. Russia’s ally, Assad, was ousted by Syrian rebels on December 8, 2024, prompting reevaluations of existing agreements.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov indicated that Moscow remains committed to dialogue with the new government to preserve longstanding bilateral ties. Speaking at a press conference, Lavrov emphasized the operational and humanitarian role of Russian bases in Syria, stating, “We are open to constructive discussions on all elements of our relationship.”
Lavrov clarified in late December that Moscow has received no formal request to revise treaties concerning its bases in Syria. However, he acknowledged the potential for future negotiations to address operational terms, including using the bases as temporary hubs for humanitarian aid amidst Syria’s urgent needs.
Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Commander-in-Chief of the new Syrian administration, reinforced Syria’s strategic ties with Russia while stressing a commitment to prioritizing national interests. “Our administration is focused on the well-being of the Syrian people and has no intention of provoking conflicts with foreign nations,” Al-Sharaa said.
The cancellation of the Tartous port contract and ongoing dialogues signal a critical period of adjustment in Syrian-Russian relations amid changing political dynamics.
