France and Syria Deepen Naval Cooperation During Landmark Warship Visit to Latakia

• French frigate Surcouf enters Syrian territorial waters for the first time
• Adm. Mackara Ouk heads French delegation in talks to broaden defense ties

LATAKIA, Syria: Naval officers from France and the Syrian Arab Republic convened aboard the French frigate Surcouf at the Mediterranean port of Latakia on Thursday to advance plans for closer military cooperation.

The occasion marked the first entry of the vessel into Syrian territorial waters. It was received by Naval Forces and Coastal Defense Commander Brig. Gen. Mohammad al-Saud, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency.

Adm. Mackara Ouk led the French delegation through discussions centered on expanding naval collaboration and strengthening broader defense relations between the two countries.

The Surcouf is a stealth frigate designed to safeguard French maritime interests. In service since 1997, it has most recently operated as part of an international coalition addressing security threats in waters surrounding the Middle East.

Syria has been gradually returning to the international diplomatic fold following years of isolation under the Bashar Assad government, which fell in 2024.

France administered Syria from 1919 to 1946 under a League of Nations mandate. Over that period, Alawite and Druze minorities established small autonomous states that were later absorbed into the unified Syrian state.

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