Russia sent warships to the Mediterranean to prepare a potential
evacuation of its citizens from Syria, Russia's Interfax news agency reported
today. Two assault ships, a tanker and an escort vessel had left a Baltic port
for the Mediterranean Sea, where Russia has a port in Syria's coastal city of
Tartus. (Reuters, 18 December)
Russia’s move came a day after the Syrian rebels seized the Yarmouk
Palestinian camp just 2 miles from the heart of Syrian capital city of Damascus.
“They (the warships) are heading to the Syrian coast to assist in a
possible evacuation of Russian citizens ... Preparations for the deployment
were carried out in a hurry and were heavily classified,” Interfax quoted the government
source as saying. (Interfax/Reuters, 18 December)
Photo credit: Free Syrian Army fighters run during clashes with forces
loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad. Ouwayjah village in Aleppo. 17 December,
2012.
(REUTERS/Zain Karam)
