A Russian convoy delivered supplies to the port of Tartous in Syria for the first time since a deal between Moscow and Damascus was signed in August. The four-vessel convoy arrived at the port on September 7, indicating that Russia is continuing to resupply its facilities in western Syria at Tartous port and the Hmeimim air base under the new agreement.
Syria announced in early August that a memorandum of understanding had been reached after 18 months of negotiations. According to the Syrian foreign ministry, the agreement will convert both facilities, which have been key military footholds for Moscow in the Mediterranean and Middle East, into "joint training and capacity-building centres," with Syria taking control of civilian operations. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa have continued discussions regarding the future of the bases.
Satellite imagery verified by Reuters showed the cargo vessel Sparta docked in Tartous alongside the navy replenishment oiler Akademik Pashin, while the Russian tanker General Skobelev remained offshore. Sparta has been involved in Russian military logistics in Syria, and both it and the tanker are under Western sanctions.
Moscow intervened militarily to support former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during Syria's civil war, which has lasted 13 years. Assad's potential removal in 2024 has significantly reduced Moscow's influence in the region. In response, Russia has aimed to rebuild relations with the new Syrian administration to protect its two military facilities outside the former Soviet Union, despite Damascus's ongoing demand for the extradition of Assad, who is currently in Moscow.