A Russian defense official said the ministry is submitting plans to turn its temporary naval base in Tartus, Syria, into a permanent one, according to reports.
“We are going to have a permanent Navy base in Tartus. We have prepared the paperwork, which is now being reviewed by other government agencies,” Gen. Nikolay Pankov, deputy defense minister, told Russia’s Senate, according to Russia Today. “The documents are pretty much ready, so we hope to submit them to you for ratification soon.”
The naval base at the southern port city is where Russia most recently deployed an S-300 surface-to-air system, raising fears among U.S. officials that the Russians planned on targeting coalition aircraft, since the Islamic State does not have aircraft to shoot down.
Those fears were confirmed last week when officials said they would shoot down any aircraft that appear to be menacing Syrian government forces.
