Syria reportedly cancels deal with Russian construction firm following Assad’s downfall

An aerial view shows the Syrian Arwad Island off the coast of Tartus, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Omar HAJ Kadour/AFP via Getty Images)
THE KYIV INDEPENDENT | Published January 23, 2025

Syria’s port of Tartus has terminated a 49-year investment agreement with Russian construction company Stroytransgaz, the independent Russian outlet Important Stories reported on Jan. 21, citing Riad Joudeh, head of customs in the city of Tartus.

The decision follows the collapse of Russian-backed dictator Bashar al-Assad’s regime on Dec. 8, after a swift offensive by opposition forces that captured Damascus, significantly undermining Russia’s influence in Syria.

The contract, signed in 2019, had committed Moscow to invest at least $500 million in modernizing the port. With the agreement now void, all revenues from the port’s operations will go directly to the Syrian state, and its management will revert to local authorities.

The new Syrian government has also blocked a Russian vessel from evacuating military equipment from the Tartus naval base, The Moscow Times reported on Jan. 9

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha discussed Russia’s military presence in Syria during a Dec. 30 diplomatic visit to Damascus.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said the same day that Kyiv and the new Syrian leadership share similar views on the issue, though specific details were not revealed.

 

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SOURCE: www.kyivindependent.com

RELATED: China’s Syrian Gamble Falls Apart! Downfall Of Bashar al-Assad Sends “Shockwaves” In Beijing! Analysis

EURASASIAN TIMES | Published January 23, 2025

China’s interests in Syria are driven by a combination of economic and security concerns. China’s involvement in Syria also presents an opportunity to balance the diminishing influence of Iran and Russia in the region, potentially enhancing Beijing’s geopolitical clout as the political landscape shifts.

Recent developments in Syria have marked a dramatic shift in the country’s political landscape.

Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule ended in December 2024 when Syrian rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), gained control of major cities, including Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and ultimately Damascus. As his regime crumbled, Assad was forced into exile, fleeing to Moscow for refuge.

For China, Assad’s fall represents more than just another Middle Eastern power shift. China’s diplomatic response was measured and cautious in response to these seismic shifts.

Through its UN representative, Fu Cong, China expressed readiness to work with the international community.

“China has long pursued a policy of friendship and cooperation with Syria. We stand ready to continue working with the international community for Syria to have a smooth transition and gradually embark on a path of peaceful development,” Fu Cong stated during a Security Council meeting on January 8.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, called for a “political solution” to maintain stability in the region and emphasized the need for all parties to prioritize Syria’s long-term interests and work towards a lasting political settlement.

Syria-China Relations Under Assad 

China had maintained strong ties with Assad’s government throughout the Syrian Civil War. This support was demonstrated through –

  • Consistent use of UN veto power (eight times) to protect Syria from international sanctions. Many analysts note the significance of this number, as Beijing has used its veto power only 16 times in its tenure as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Remarkably, half of these vetoes have been aimed at supporting Assad’s regime.

  • Opposition to “color revolutions” and the Arab Spring movements.

  • Syria’s inclusion in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2022.

  • Establishment of a strategic partnership in 2023, announced during Assad’s visit to China.

However, the fall of the Assad regime has marked a significant shift in Chinese interests in the region. Prior to these developments, China had positioned itself as a key international partner for Syria, with both economic and strategic investments in the country’s future.

The September 2023 Sino-Syrian strategic partnership agreement, which represented the second-highest level of diplomatic partnership in China’s foreign policy framework, marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations.

This marked a significant diplomatic boost for President Assad as his government sought to reassert itself on the global stage after years of isolation.

Now, with Assad’s sudden overthrow, China finds itself reassessing its regional strategy and investment priorities. While still adhering to the principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of other countries, the loss of Assad as a diplomatic partner forces Beijing to navigate a new and uncertain political landscape in Syria.

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SOURCE: www.eurasiantimes.com

 

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