The Russian army is performing a major military exercise off the coast of Syria. This is why air and maritime routes have been temporarily closed in this part of the Mediterranean.

This Russian drill follows the destruction of a Russian plane during a joint British-French-Israeli attack on 17 September 2018. The target of this latter tri-state attack was located in the Syrian region of Latakia.

Following this war game, Russia could propose to Syria, the adoption of new rules creating no fly zones and prohibitions on maritime passage.

Translation
Anoosha Boralessa