Syrian opposition prepares provocative act against Russian warships group – Central Navy Portal source

17.07.2012 Pro-democracy activists, opposing Bashar al-Assad's government, maybe will organise a protest act against Russian warships group presence in Syrian water area, according to information, available to Central Navy Portal from the source, close to an African country Intelligence Agency. Furthermore the opposition will use militant slogans, in which Russia will be convicted as a force, providing political support to al-Assad's regime. Provocative acts are also possible.

In particular, as reported, protest demonstrations in Tartus are planned while Russian warships calling at port. In this regard special groups of three-four soldiers and instigators of future mass disturbances have training in cross-border regions, wh ere to hundreds of Syrian Army deserters and fugitives have scuttled.

Activists, mostly natives of littoral Siryan Mouhafazats (government) - Latakia and Tartus, who can speak Russian, have going for being leaders of provocative acts, as slogans in Russian, English and Arabic languages will be used for protest demonstrations, which will be followed by video filming with the aime of being released in world-wide mass media.

Unopposed naturalization in the West was proposed to subunit leaders and their relatives.

According to the source, provocative acts are prepared due to disagreement in Syrian crisis settlement between the Kremlin and the White House.

Recall, in September 2011 Syrian activists held a "day of anger" against Russia, which had blocked United Nations sanctions against Damascus.

Reportedly by Central Navy Portal, Admiral Chabanenko and three Russian amphibious assault ships left NF Main Base Severomorsk on July 10. Three amphibious assault ships transport Marine Corps submits on-board. Baltic Fleet guard frigat Yaroslav Mudry and auxiliary ships, based in Baltiysk, will join Admiral Chabanenko later. 

Later the unnamed source from the Russian Ministry of Defense told that "the program of the voyage includes a call in the Syrian port of Tartus". According to Interfax, the source insisted that the deployment was not linked to the escalation of the situation in Syria. "In Tartus the ships are going to top up on supplies of fuel, water and foodstuffs," the source said, adding that their deployment in the Mediterranean would last until the end of September.

Also the Russian Navy representative informed RIA Novosti that the warships group from Russia's Northern, Baltic and Black Sea Fleets was preparing for drilling in the Atlantic ocean as well as in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea

Tartus hosts a Soviet-era naval supply and maintenance base, under a 1971 agreement with Syria, which is still staffed by Russian naval personnel. Tartus is the last Russian military base outside the former Soviet Union, and its only Mediterranean fueling spot, sparing Russia’s warships the trip back to their Black Sea bases through straits in Turkey, a NATO member.