Iran, Russia, China, Syria to hold drill

Iran, Russia, China and Syria plan to conduct a joint military exercise in the Middle East in coming weeks, the semi-official Fars news agency said. Citing "informed sources" the agency said some 90,000 troops from the four countries are expected to participate in land, air and sea maneuvers off the Syrian coast, including air defense and missile units. Some 400 warplanes and 1,000 tanks will take part in the exercise, the agency said. Egypt has granted authorization for 12 Chinese warships to sail through the Suez Canal, and Russian atomic submarines, warships and aircraft carriers, and Iranian battle ships will dock at Syrian ports in the next two weeks, the agency said. During the exercise, Syria will test its air defense systems and coast-to-sea missiles, Fars said. A senior Russian naval commander Monday told the Russian Interfax news agency two Russian amphibious landing vessels would head to the Russian base at the Syrian port of Tartus. The commander said marines would be charged with protecting the security of Russian citizens and evacuating part of the base. The British newspaper The Daily Telegraph said this marks the first time Moscow has sent troops to Syria since the violent uprising against President Bashar Assad's regime began in March 2011.