Syria pleased to show itself and its rich history Nov 9, 2008
Amrit, on the road to Tartus, has the only Persian temple in Syria (from the fifth century BC) ... "I can see you're hot from our blazing Syrian sun," Ahmed said, "but soon you'll feel cooler because we're going to the port of Tartus to take a boat ride.". (Boston Globe)
Militants blamed for Syria bombs Nov 7, 2008
In August, a senior military official close to President Bashar al-Assad was shot dead, in as-yet unexplained circumstances, at a beach resort near the port city of Tartus. Brig Gen Mohammed Suleiman had responsibility for sensitive security issues and was described as Syria's "main interlocutor" in a UN inquiry into the country's alleged nuclear activities. (BBC News -- Africa)
Syria's Nuclear Revival Oct 7, 2008
Gen. Muhammad Suleiman, was assassinated at a beach resort near Tartus, Syria. The immediate impact of his death is that the IAEA s investigation of the al Kabir site will be slowed. (Human Events Online)
Russia for pan-European security pact Sep 21, 2008
Ten Russian warships have been positioned at the Syrian port of Tartus, said Iran s Press TV. The deployment of these ships follows a military accord between Syria and Russia in August after the conflict in Caucasus surfaced. Rear Admiral Andrei Baranov, the chief of Russian s Black Sea Fleet, was quoted as saying that Russian engineers were expanding the capacity of the Tartus harbour to accommodate more ships. (Hindu)
US wary of Russia restoring Cuba ties Sep 7, 2008
It is negotiating with Syria to resume use of naval bases in Tartus and Latakiya, Russian officials have said. There has also been talk in Moscow of approaching Vietnam about using Cam Ranh Bay. (Boston Globe)
Revived Cuban link irks US Sep 2, 2008
Russia also has been looking for new air and naval bases far from home, negotiating with Syria to resume use of naval bases in Tartus and Latakiya and possibly approaching Vietnam about using Cam Ranh Bay. And in late July the Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, sent one of his closest aides, the Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin, and a large delegation to meet the Cuban President, Raul Castro. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Top Syria official 'assassinated' Aug 5, 2008
The official, identified as Brig Gen Mohammed Suleiman, was shot dead on Friday night at a beach resort near the port city of Tartus, the reports say ... According to the website reports, a funeral service was held for Mr Suleiman on Sunday in his hometown of Duraykish, close to Tartus. (BBC News -- Africa)
Bill would broaden gay marriage rights Mar 15, 2008
The accident occurred when the brakes on the bus failed as it traveled from the northern city of Idlib to the port city of Tartus. Twenty-three of the dead were students and one victim was inside the house. (Boston Globe)
Syria: Stop Arrests for Online Comments Oct 8, 2007
Habib Salih: On May 29, 2005, Military Intelligence officers arrested Habib Salih in Tartus, approximately 100 miles (130 kilometers) north of Damascus, for posting on two websites a series of open letters addressed to the delegates attending the June 2005 Ba'ath Party Conference in which he detailed his prison experiences ... He was sentenced to three years on August 15, 2006 by the Tartus Criminal Court for "spreading false news that weaken the spirit of the nation." He was released on... (AlertNet)
Israel shared intelligence with US before raid on suspected nuclear weapons site in Syria Sep 21, 2007
The Israeli attack occurred just three days after a North Korean ship docked at the Syrian port of Tartus, carrying a cargo that was officially listed as cement. The ship's role remains obscure. (Boston Globe)
NUKES IN SYRIA? Sep 18, 2007
Most sources are linking the Israeli raid to the arrival of a North Korean ship that docked recently in the Syrian port of Tartus. (North Korean ships are notoriously up to no good: smuggling illegal weapons, spies, drugs or other contraband. (New York Post -- Opinions)
Was Israeli raid a dry run for attack on Iran? Sep 16, 2007
According to this version of events, a North Korean ship, officially carrying a cargo of cement, docked three days before the raid in the Syrian port of Tartus. That ship was also alleged to be carrying nuclear equipment. (Guardian Unlimited)
Syria's renewed alliance making Israel nervous Sep 15, 2007
According to reports, the Russian navy is planning to reactivate the Cold War naval facilities that its personnel still man in the Syrian port of Tartus ... Israeli newspapers reported this week that Russia plans to equip Tartus with its latest anti-aircraft missiles, capable of defending most of Syria's air space, and that the missiles would be manned by Russian personnel. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Our World: Of men and mice Sep 5, 2007
If plans go through for the Russian Navy to station its forces at the Syrian port of Tartus, the Russians are scheduled to secure that port with advanced land to air PMU-2 ballistic missiles that will cover most of Syrian airspace. At Sunday's ceremony, the members of the General Staff looked visibly ashamed as the stories of the heroism of the forces they sent into misguided battles were recounted. (Townhall.com)
This Isn’t Your Father’s Bear Aug 28, 2007
Just north of the Syrian port at Tartus is the Turkish port of Ceyhan, which is the terminus of a major new oil pipeline, linked to the Azerbaijani port city of Baku. Tartus gives the Russians the ability to monitor and if it chose to disrupt Ceyhan s operations ... What can t be denied is the Russian facelift for the Syrian port of Tartus. (Human Events Online)
Syria Bolsters its Troops Feb 22, 2007
The Syrian navy made do with the task of coastal defense, using Russian-made surface-to-sea missiles, some with long-range capability, in the area of the port of Tartus. However, it appears that the Syrians have chosen to adopt some of the Lebanon war's lessons, and with Iranian help they have renewed emphasis on their navy. (Ocnus.net)
Facing Assad Jan 15, 2007
In exchange, the Syrians are allowing more Russian advisers reaching Cold War levels in the port of Tartus, a potential strategic staging ground for Russian nuclear submarines in the Mediterranean. Iran has offered to pay Syria's tab, amounting to billions of dollars. (New York Sun)
