ISW: Russia starts evacuating military assets from Syria amid talks with HTS

Russia appears to have reached a new agreement with the HTS-led interim government in Syria, facilitating the evacuation of Russian military assets.

On January 21, the Russian cargo ship Sparta II entered the port of Tartus, signalling a significant shift in Russian operations in Syria, Caliber.Az reports, citing a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

According to Marine Traffic, a shipping tracking website, the Sparta II may be transporting Russian military equipment from Syria to Libya. The Ukrainian Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) had previously reported that the vessel was being utilized to move Russian assets from Syria to Libya, supporting ongoing operations in the region.

Commercial satellite imagery has confirmed the presence of military equipment and cargo lined up at the port of Tartus since December 17, likely awaiting evacuation. The recent arrival of the Sparta II suggests that negotiations between Russia and the HTS-led interim government have reached a successful conclusion, allowing Russian vessels to dock at the port.

This development marks a shift from earlier reports from the GUR, which indicated that the HTS-led government had not authorized Russian ships to enter Tartus as of January 12.

In fact, Russian Rear Admiral Valery Varfolomeyev had reportedly failed in his efforts to negotiate access to the port on January 9. Since January 6, at least three other Russian vessels, including two landing ships and a cargo ship, have remained off the coast of Tartus, awaiting the go-ahead for port access.

The HTS-led interim government has moved to suspend Russian financial and investment involvement in the strategic port of Tartus. On January 20, the customs director for Tartus informed Syrian media that the interim government had halted an earlier agreement that allowed an unnamed Russian company to invest in the port. According to the director, all revenue accrued by the Russian company will now be directed to the interim government.

This decision is a significant blow to Russia's long-standing investment in Tartus, which had been under the control of the Russian oil and gas company Stroytransgaz since 2019. Under a lease agreement with the Assad regime, Stroytransgaz was granted control of the port for 49 years, an arrangement that had been central to Russia's military and commercial presence in Syria.

The suspension of Russian financial involvement raises questions about the future of Russia’s military presence at Tartus. While it is still unclear whether Russia and the HTS-led interim government have reached a final agreement regarding Russian basing rights in Syria, the suspension of financial activities suggests that HTS is aiming to reassert Syrian control over the port. This move makes it increasingly unlikely that Russia will be able to maintain its military presence in the region.

By Khagan Isayev