Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — The Iranian Navy has sent ships to Syria in an effort to
protect the territorial waters of its Arab ally.

Officials said the Iranian Navy has sent two ships to Syria in what was
seen as a show of force amid NATO operations around the Arab country. They
said an Iranian destroyer and supply ship was already in Syrian territorial
waters in the Mediterranean Sea and docked in the Russian-controlled naval
port of Tartous.

“The strategic navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran has passed through the Suez Canal for the second time since the [1979] Islamic Revolution,” Iranian Navy commander Adm. Habibullah Sayari said.

The ships were identified as the destroyer Shahid Qandi and supply
vessel Kharg, both of which docked in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 4. Officials did not say how long the ships would remain in Syria.

In 2011, Iran sent its first naval submarines to Syria in an effort to
protect against enemy infiltration. At least two Ghadir-class miniature submarines arrived at the port of Latakia and began operations in November.

This marked the second Iranian Navy visit to Syria in as many years. In February 2011, two Iranian Navy ships, including a destroyer, conducted
training operations in the eastern Mediterranean on the eve of the revolt
against President Bashar Assad.

The sources said NATO has begun operating around Syria. They said U.S.
Air Force unmanned aerial vehicles were leaving Turkey for reconnaissance
operations in northeastern Syria.

The U.S. Navy’s Sixth Fleet has also been operating around the eastern
Mediterranean along with Turkey and another NATO ally. The sources said the
missions were meant to prevent Iran from sending military supplies to the
Assad regime.

A Chinese newspaper said Iran intends to vastly expand its combat
presence in Syria. The Chinese daily Renmin Ribao asserted that Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps would send 15,000 troops to restore order to
Syrian provinces that contain rebel operations. Iran has not confirmed the
report.

  Adm. Habibullah Sayari, As Iran ships dock at Russian-controlled Syrian port, Bashar Assad, destroyer Shahid Qandi, Iranian Navy, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, port of Tartous, Suez Canal, supply vessel Kharg, U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet, U.S. Sixth Fleet and Turkey on alert