Syria Cancels Agreement Allowing Russia to Operate Tartus Port

tartus, syria - Syria announces the cancellation of a 49-year agreement with Russia, transferring control of Tartus port back to Syrian government.

Syria Reclaims Control of Tartus Port from Russia

Syria has announced the cancellation of a 49-year agreement with Russia, allowing the Syrian government to regain control of the Tartus port. The agreement, signed in 2019 by Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, granted Russia the right to operate the port. However, the control over commercial ships docking at the port will now generate revenue for Syria.

The cancelled agreement currently only affects the commercial shipping section of the port, while Russia's military naval base status remains intact. The announcement of the agreement's cancellation was made by Riyad Cudi, the Director of Tartus Customs in Syria. Cudi stated, 'The agreement made with Russia during the Assad era did not serve our national interests, hence we have decided to cancel it. From now on, the revenue generated from the port will go to the Syrian state treasury.'

Following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, the commercial ship traffic at Tartus port has reportedly quadrupled. With Western sanctions against Syria gradually being lifted, the port is expected to become a vital gateway for Syria to the world.