Russia to keep naval base in Syria’s Tartus![]() July 26, 2012 - 13:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia will keep its naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus, Navy chief Vice Admiral Viktor Chirkov said on Thursday, July 26, according to RIA Novosti. “The Russian Navy’s supply center in the Syrian port of Tartus will be preserved. We need it to provide maintenance and technical support to Russian warships during anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden,” Chirkov said during an online broadcast, adding that the Mediterranean was the Black Sea Fleet’s strategic operational area. The navy commander also said that several Russian warships are currently holding drills in the Mediterranean, but will not enter Tartus. In late June, Moscow dismissed media reports that a large Russian amphibious ship carrying weapons and troops was en route to violence-hit Syria. ![]() ![]() Azerbaijani authorities report that they have already resettled 3,000 people in the Nagorno-Karabakh town of Stepanakert. On June 10, Azerbaijani President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will leave for Turkey on a working visit. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. ![]() ![]() Partner news | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |