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Syria's customs authority on Thursday rejected reports that Russia had established a commercial logistics center at the Mediterranean port of Tartus, dismissing the claims as unfounded and urging the public to rely only on official sources for information about the country's strategic facilities.
The denial came in response to a Western media report, citing unidentified Syrian officials, alleging that Moscow had begun operating a logistics center at the port.
Mazen Alloush, director of public relations at the General Authority for Borders and Customs, said any agreements or projects involving Syria's ports and border crossings "are announced exclusively through official channels," and cautioned against spreading unverified information that could "mislead public opinion."
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Tartus, Syria's second-largest port after Latakia, holds considerable strategic and economic weight as one of the country's primary gateways on the Mediterranean coast.
In May 2025, the General Authority for Borders and Customs signed an $800 million memorandum of understanding with Dubai Ports World to develop the port's infrastructure and logistics services, a deal aimed at positioning Tartus as a major hub for regional and international trade.
The port has long attracted geopolitical attention. Under the previous Syrian government, Russia maintained a naval presence at Tartus under a lease agreement, giving Moscow its only Mediterranean naval facility, a foothold that held significant strategic value for Russian military operations in the region.
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