French warship makes first-ever call at Syrian port as Paris and Damascus deepen military ties

The Syrian Defense Ministry said on November 12 that the commander of the naval and coastal defense forces of the Syrian Arab Army, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Al-Saud, received a French military delegation led by Admiral Makara Ouk. This came a day after reports indicated a French frigate had arrived at a Syrian port. Syrians praised this, noting that in the past only Russian warships had been present on the Syrian coast.The visit by the French frigate Surcouf is an important symbol. Photos show the Syrians and French naval personnel meeting on the ship. Syrian state media SANA added that “Syrian and French naval officials discussed strengthening maritime military cooperation and bilateral relations during a meeting aboard the French frigate Surcouf, marking the first visit by a French warship to Syria.”The report noted that "Brig.-Gen. Mohammad al-Saud, Commander of the Syrian Arab Army's Naval Forces and Coastal Defense, received a French military delegation led by Admiral Mackara Ouk, accompanied by several French Navy officers. The meeting, also attended by Syrian military officers, focused on ways to expand cooperation in the naval sector and develop military ties between the two countries. It concluded that “the visit marks a step in military engagement between Syria and France, with discussions centered on maritime cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations.”Why is the French frigate called the Surcouf?…