As of 2012[update], Tartus is the Russian Navy's only Mediterranean repair and replenishment point, sparing Russia’s warships the trip back to their Black Sea bases through the Turkish Straits.

[7][8] On 20 January 2025 the new Syrian government terminated a contract with a Russian company that had managed the port of Tartus (in which the naval base is located) since 2019.

[11] Meanwhile, mass media and officials of Russia, Israel, and Syria made contradictory statements about Russian warships planning to call at Tartus as well as about the prospects of upgrading the facility to a naval base.

[17] According to a TASS report published in December 2017, the Tartus facility has been used for supplies of Russian armaments and military cargo since June 2012.

[19] On 3 August 2012, international media reported that three large Russian amphibious assault ships, carrying hundreds of marines would soon visit Tartus.

Earlier reports, quoting a source at the Russian General Staff, said the ships would spend a few days in Tartus and would take on fresh supplies of food and water.

[20][22] In May 2013, a U.S. newspaper reported that Russia had sent a dozen or more warships to patrol waters near Tartus, a move that was seen as a warning to the U.S. and Israel not to intervene in the conflict in Syria.

[24] After the permanent Mediterranean Sea Task Force of the Russian Navy was formed in September 2013, the facility at Tartus was charged with servicing and repairs of the ships of that formation.

[11] In November 2024, rebels including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a major offensive against the Russia-backed Syrian Arab Army and seized the city of Aleppo.

"[2][3] On 9 December 2024, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said communication lines with HTS had been opened to talk about Russia retaining its naval and air bases in Syria.

[40] The treaty was ratified and approved by Russian parliament, and the relevant federal law was signed by president Vladimir Putin by the end of December 2017.