Syrian government prepares for military intervention

Russia evacuates it nationals out of Syria Syrian activists said the government of President Bashar Al-Assad is closing various public offices across the country, over fears of a possible military attack by the United States and its Western allies. Russian officials announced plans to vacate their Soviet-era naval facility in the port city of Tartus, which serves as a Mediterranean repair and replenishment spot, sparing Russia’s warships the trip back to their Black Sea bases through the Turkish Straits.
The American television channel, NBC News, quoted a military source saying the US could launch strikes on Thursday August 29, lasting for three days.
European countries and the US said a chemical weapons attack against civilians by Pro-Assad forces would be a ‘red-line’ for military intervention, in a civil war that has raged for two years.
On Wednesday last week, a warhead carrying a suspected chemical agent was fired into Ghouta, east of Damascus, killing hundreds of residents and injuring thousands.  Amongst the horrific pictures leaked to the outside world by activists were lines of dead bodies of children lying on the floor in a hospital mortuary.  Many of the victims appeared no older than 15 years-old.
A spokesperson the opposition al Mustafa brigade said the United Nations weapons inspection team was on its way on Wednesday to the site in Gouta.
According to the source, UN inspectors had spoken with leaders of the rebel movement in a telephone conversation.  The fighters agreed to escort the team to Gouta, and will then visit Zamalka, Ain Tarma and Arabin – in Damascus.
Activists in the country said government trucks had evacuated a military base behind the Qassion mountains, which according to rebel fighters is where the regime launched the chemical weapon.  They said intelligence officers were relocated to various secret locations, whilst the detainees in its basement prison where kept at the location.
Opposition groups said the government had converted a number of schools into new intelligence bases in the suburb of Al Saboura, in Damascus.
Activists said Shabeeha (thugs) had delivered weapons and identity cards to the new sites.
Russian nationals have begun evacuating the country, on board an aid airplane which was delivering goods to Latakia.
The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said it will send a transport plane to Syria to take home those who were still in the country.
According to Russian news agency – RIA Novosti, spokesperson for the ministry, Irina Rossius, said, “An Il-62 plane took off for Latakia. This special flight is for Russian and CIS nationals who ?had earlier expressed their determination to return to Moscow.”  She added that a total of 89 people, mostly women and children, returned to Moscow on-board a ?plane which landed in the Domodedovo airport late on Tuesday.?
Chief of Staff of the Free Syrian Army, a coalition of opposition fighters seeking to topple the Assad government, General Selim Idris said the FSA had not been notified of a date for military intervention by Western forces.
Australia, which is heading the UN Security Council in September, supported the potential military ?strike against Syria.?
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov warned against a military solution saying it would destabilise the country and the Middle East, according to a statement issued ?by the Ministry on Wednesday.?
In a telephone conversation with the special envoy of the UN and Arab League to Syria - Lakhdar ?Brahimi, Lavrov said there is "lack of an alternative to a diplomatic solution.  Any attempts for a ?military solution will lead only to a further destabilisation of the situation in the country and the ?region."?
Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs - Mohammed Jawad Zarif warned against any western military ?intervention in Syria, which would fuel instability in the region and across the Syrian borders.?
In an interview broadcast on Iranian Mehr News Agency, he criticised the attitude of some countries, which he didn’t name, which attempt to impose their ?opinion on Syria.