The Russian Navy held a parade in its Mediterranean base in Tartus as part of Moscow’s celebration of its designated Navy Day. Among others, vessels and aircraft under review were the Kilo-class nuclear submarine Novorossiysk, the Admiral Makarov frigate and jet fighters including the advanced Su-35 and Su-34. During the evident Russian show of force, the commander-in-chief of the Syrian Arab Army and the commander of the Russian forces deployed in Syria vowed to continue deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Damascus as part of a common goal to confront the West in general, and the United States in particular. “Syria and Russia are strengthening their military relations for the purpose of resisting hegemonism forced upon Syria by western countries, especially the United States” Media Director of the Syrian Arab Army Hassan Suleiman revealed. There was no immediate response from the Russian defense ministry to provide Moscow’s official position on this statement.
