Syria's New Government Terminates Tartus Port Lease Agreement with Russia

The new Syrian government has officially annulled the 2019 lease agreement that granted a Russian company the rights to operate the port of Tartus for 49 years. This move marks a significant shift in Syria's foreign relations as the government works to distance itself from Moscow following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

According to reports from the local outlet Shaam, this decision allows Syria to reclaim 60% of the commercial revenue from the Tartus port operations, which was previously allocated to the Russian company under the agreement. Analysts suggest the move is also aimed at boosting revenue to meet pressing financial demands, such as increasing civil servant salaries.

While discussions about the status of Russian military bases in Syria are ongoing, no formal decisions have been made. The Kremlin, meanwhile, is concerned about losing docking rights for its ships at Tartus, further complicating its presence in the region.

“This decision reflects Syria’s intent to rebuild its credibility as a trustworthy partner while securing much-needed financial resources,” said Thomas Pierret, a researcher specializing in Syrian affairs.