The Syrian port of Tartus has terminated its agreement with a Russian company.

"All revenues from the port's operations are now directed towards the benefit of the Syrian state. The workers employed at the port will return under the management of the Syrian side," the publication quotes Judy's words. His statements also indicate that, contrary to the investment contract, the Russian side has not modernized the port's mechanisms.

In April 2019, then-Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Yuri Borisov announced a 49-year lease agreement for the Tartus port. At the same time, an investment contract was signed for 49 years with the company "Stroytransgaz," whose main beneficiary is Gennady Timchenko. According to the contract's terms, the company promised to invest over $500 million in the port's modernization.

"Stroytransgaz" has not yet commented on the report.

The publication "Al-Watan" also claims that the port's activity has noticeably increased following the change of power in Syria, with bulk carriers arriving from other countries.

This refers to the civilian port of Tartus. The Russian naval base, known as the logistics support point, is also located at this port. Following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria in early December, the fate of this base, as well as the airbase in Latakia, came into question. Reports indicated that Russian troops entered negotiations regarding the fate of the bases with the new Syrian authorities, formed by forces against which Russia had previously fought. In December, it was reported that Russia had withdrawn its ships from the Tartus port and likely began evacuating property. However, to date, no decisions regarding the closure of the bases and the withdrawal of military personnel and staff have been announced.