Russia alerts Cyprus of Syria military exercises

Russia has issued an alert for Cyprus to divert aircraft from normal flight paths as it plans to conduct military exercises off the Syria' coast next week, officials on the island said Friday.

Reports in Moscow said Russia had sent NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) to the US Federal Aviation Administration about the exercises between the Syrian port of Tartus and Cyprus, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) away.

A source in the Cypriot defence ministry confirmed that Russia had issued NOTAMs for exercises including the firing of missiles, saying such notices were a "matter of routine."

There was still a possibility Russia might not carry out the exercises on the dates it set out, including for between September 14 and 17.

"They might carry out military exercises and they might not, but the dates have been reserved," the source told AFP.

A copy of the NOTAMs on the FAA website gave the coordinates for what it said were a "Russian navy excercise" including "rocket test firings" between September 8 and 15.
 AFP
 ahram.org.eg
11/9/15
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Related:

• Russia to keep sending arms for Syria's fight against ISIS/ISIL

• Moscow is sending an advanced anti-aircraft missile system to Syria, two Western officials and a Russian source said, as part of what the West believes is stepped-up military support for embattled President Bashar al-Assad....

• Russia holds military exercises in the Mediterranean on a regular basis, and does so in full compliance with international norms, the country’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told journalists on Friday.

“Regarding the drills in the Mediterranean, I would say that I don’t have the information on its schedule, but it is a well-known fact that our Navy holds such exercises on a regular basis. They are held in full compliance with the international norms for events of such a scale,” said Sergei Lavrov.

• The day before, Russia had warned nearby air carriers about the missile-firing exercises in the Mediterranean, off the Syrian coast, east of Cyprus.

• The drills are set to last until September 17.

Also on Friday, the top diplomat said Russia will continue delivering military equipment to Syria to provide it with sorely needed defense capabilities.

The minister underlined that Russia is not simply supporting Syrian president Bashar Assad, but rather Damascus' fight against the Islamic State. He also called on participants of the international coalition against the extremist group to cooperate with the Syrian army.
  [Sputnik] 11/9/15