Russian warships opposite Israel and standby for Syria
DEBKAfile Special Report – 27-11-2012 – The Black Sea Fleet’s naval task force has been ordered to remain in the eastern Mediterranean ready to evacuate Russian citizens from the Gaza Strip. DEBKAfile: Moscow used the same pretext as Washington, readiness to evacuate nationals in an emergency, to account for the presence last week of the US Iwo Jima and two other warships in the east Mediterranean. Both flotillas are in fact on standby for developments in the Syrian crisis. The Iwo Jima has since moved quietly into waters off Syria.