Russia has resumed its activities at the Tartus and Hmeimim bases in Syria. Last week, a convoy consisting of Russian warships and cargo ships transferred supplies to Syrian coastal facilities that the Russian army has long utilized.
New Agreement and Its Implications
This operation is the first of its kind following last month's agreement between Damascus and Moscow regarding the future of Russia's military presence in Syria. According to this agreement, civilian facilities used by Russia will be transferred to Syrian control, while military sites will be converted into joint training centers.
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According to this agreement, Russian forces will remain at the two bases of Tartus and Hmeimim. These bases are recognized as key points for expanding Russia's influence in the Mediterranean Sea, the Middle East, and Africa. The port of Tartus is considered the only Russian facility in the Mediterranean for the repair and resupply of ships' fuel and equipment.
Details of the Recent Mission
According to the information provided, last week's mission was the first instance following the announcement of the agreement on August 9. A convoy consisting of four ships arrived at the port of Tartus in the Mediterranean on September 7. Satellite images have confirmed that the Russian cargo ship "Sparta" and the Russian Navy support ship "Akademik Pashin" docked at the third and fourth berths of Tartus port on September 8, respectively.
A Syrian military source and a Syrian-Russian trader familiar with the operation stated that the Sparta ship unloaded supplies that included munitions designated for the Hmeimim and Tartus bases.
Damascus and Moscow reached an agreement on the status of Hmeimim and Tartus after 18 months of negotiations, which began following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government, a close ally of Russia, in December 2024. This agreement signifies the continuation and strengthening of military relations between the two countries.
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