Syrian authorities have made a significant shift in their port policies, allowing civilian commercial ships to enter the military harbour of Tartus. However, Russian warships remain barred from entering, despite ongoing attempts by Russian military officials to secure access.
This decision comes amid growing tension surrounding Russia’s presence in Syria, with Russian transport ships, including the Sparta and Sparta II, reportedly stranded in neutral waters for over two weeks. These vessels are awaiting permission to remove military equipment from the Tartus port but have so far been denied entry. The two ships have been observed making erratic movements in the area, with their routes forming unusual patterns, indicating they are stuck in limbo, unable to fulfil their mission.
On the other hand, civilian ships have been allowed to dock at Tartus. Just recently, an Egyptian dry cargo ship, Lotus, successfully entered the port. This development marks a notable shift in Syrian maritime policy, which had previously been more accommodating towards Russian military interests in the region.
Despite these changes, Russian military officials continue to press for access. On January 9, Russian Rear Admiral Valery Varfolomeyev attempted to negotiate the removal of military equipment, but his efforts were rebuffed. The Russian equipment, including vehicles and weapons, is reported to stretch for nearly a kilometre within the port.
Additionally, there have been reports of technical difficulties faced by Russian vessels in the area. The Russian landing ship “Alexander Otrakovsky” experienced severe problems with its fuel tanks while docked at the outer roadstead of the Tartus port. This failure further compounds the difficulties faced by the Russian military in the region, as they struggle to maintain operations.
At the same time, Syrian authorities appear to be distancing themselves from Russian military activity, raising questions about the future of the Russian presence in Syria. The refusal to allow Russian warships access to Tartus, combined with the difficulties faced by Russian vessels, suggests a shift in the region’s complex geopolitical dynamics. Syria’s decision may indicate a growing desire to assert more control over its ports and reduce reliance on Russian military presence, especially given the ongoing international scrutiny of Russia’s actions.
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