Russian ship delayed at Syrian port amidst new restrictions
After two weeks of waiting, the Russian ship Sparta received permission to dock at the Syrian port of Tartus. There, it will likely be loaded with military equipment. The new Syrian authorities have imposed restrictions that may affect Russian military operations in the region.
The Russian ship Sparta, which entered the Mediterranean Sea early this year, received permission to dock at the port of Tartus after 14 days. According to the Polish Press Agency, the Russian Ministry of Defence often uses this ship to transport military equipment. It departed from Baltiysk in the Kaliningrad region on December 11 and reached the Syrian coast on January 5.
For two weeks, Sparta, along with other Russian units, waited for permission from the new Syrian authorities to enter the port. During this time, Russian ships had to maintain a distance of about 29 kilometres (18 miles) from the shore, due to patrols by Syrian forces on territorial waters. The only evacuation route for Russian personnel was the Khmeimim airbase.
Will the new Syrian authorities thwart Russian plans?
In the port of Tartus, military equipment is likely to be loaded, which could be sent to Russia or eastern Libya. General Khalifa Haftar, who governs the eastern part of Libya, has made several air and naval bases available to the Russians in Tobruk. From Libya, the equipment may be transported further, including to Mali, where Russia is trying to strengthen its position (the contract for services provided by Wagner Group mercenaries expires in February).
The potential closure of access to the port of Tartus would be a significant blow for Russia. It is the only foreign naval base that enables Moscow to control sea routes in the Mediterranean Sea. Losing access to this port could affect Russian operations in Africa, where mercenaries from the Wagner Group oversee the exploitation of natural resources in several countries.
Previously, Vladimir Putin helped Bashar al-Assad maintain power in Syria. After the dictator was overthrown, foreign media reported that Russia "granted asylum" to Assad and his family, supposedly for humanitarian reasons.
