Doha, December 8, 2024 – The Europe Today: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov clarified on Sunday that Russian naval ships did not leave the Tartus base following jihadists’ recent offensive against Syrian government forces. Addressing rumors fueled by satellite images, Lavrov attributed the speculation to ongoing military exercises in the Mediterranean Sea.
“Military exercises are being conducted in the Mediterranean Sea. Perhaps the satellite images were mistaken for something else,” Lavrov stated after a meeting with the foreign ministers of Türkiye and Iran in Qatar. The trilateral discussion focused on the recent surge in rebel activity in Syria.
The military drills, held from December 1–3, involved the Russian Navy and Aerospace Forces, as confirmed by the Russian Defense Ministry. Lavrov’s remarks were in response to reports suggesting the withdrawal of Russian ships due to the intensifying conflict.
In Syria, the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an offshoot of Jabhat al-Nusra, alongside its allies, launched a surprise offensive last week. The rebel forces swiftly advanced through Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, reaching the outskirts of Damascus—the closest approach to the capital since 2015.
The Syrian military, with air support from Russian warplanes, has mobilized forces to counter the threat. President Bashar Assad condemned the attacks, vowing to eliminate the terrorists and hold their “sponsors and supporters” accountable. Media reports allege that the militants received training from Ukrainian military intelligence, further intensifying the regional dynamics.
Moscow, a key ally of Damascus since its intervention in 2015, maintains significant military installations in Syria, including the Hmeimim Airbase and the naval facility in Tartus. Russian support has been instrumental in countering groups like ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra, delivering critical blows to terrorist elements in the region.
The situation remains tense as diplomatic efforts continue to address the evolving crisis.
