Germany seeks Talks with Russia over Syria as Putin conducts Naval Maneuvers off Tartous

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http://www.juancole.com/2015/09/conducts-maneuvers-tartous.html

Germany seeks Talks with Russia over Syria as Putin conducts Naval Maneuvers off Tartous
By Juan Cole | Sep. 13, 2015

Agence France Press Arabic says that Cypriot officials are reporting that Russia has asked them to alter airline routes this coming week because it is planning naval military maneuvers off the Syrian coast near its leased naval base, Tartous.

The maneuvers are called “routine” by Moscow but come at a time of heightened American, European and Israeli concern about increased Russian military backing and aid for the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

Another Arabic news agency writes that the maneuvers will involve the firing of missiles.

There are also reports that Russia is preparing to send a new anti-aircraft system to Syria, the SA-22, which will be operated by Russian troops.