A major joint military exercise between Syrian and Russian forces took place at the naval base in Tartus, Syria, which included live-fire exercises. According to the Syrian Ministry of Defense, the exercises were led by General Abdel Karim Mahmoud Ibrahim and the commander of Russian troops in Syria, General Sergei Kisel, as well as other high-ranking officers.

During the exercises, which simulated real combat situations, tasks were worked out to protect against terrorist attacks and enemy penetration by sea and land. Syrian and Russian units fired at enemy targets, landed troops behind enemy lines, and also practiced operations to destroy terrorist groups.

Remarkably, the exercise attracted the attention of Israel, whose planes and drones spied on the Russian and Syrian military. Obviously, this interaction is of great concern to Israel, especially against the backdrop of clearly cooled relations with Moscow.