The Russian Navy Russia has intensified its military involvement in the Syrian conflict. On May 30, Syrian state media announced that it had received a batch of MiG-29 multi-role fighters from Russia. Damascus did not provide details regarding the number of the received jets, but said that they are entering service with the Syrian Air Force on June 1st. They are set to conduct regular patrols in Syrian airspace. Prior to the delivery, the Syrian Air Force had at least 20 MiG-29 jets. Moscow is also working to expand its military infrastructure. On May 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a directive asking the Defense Ministry in cooperation with the foreign ministry with holding negotiations with Syria on transferring more real estate and water territory to the Russian military's possession. Russia currently has two permanent military bases in the war-torn country, the Hameyum Air Base in Latakia Province and a naval facility at the port of Tartus on the Mediterranean Sea. The intensification of Russian support to the Damascus government comes as Turkey continues its military build-up in northwestern Syria. On May 30, May 31st and June 1st, the Turkish Army deployed additional troops and equipment, including at least four in 110 self-propelled howitzers in Greater Idlib. The configuration of the Turkish military positions and anchorage attitude towards Damascus demonstrate that Turkey is not going to use this force against Idlib terrorists. Rather, these reinforcements are needed to secure their safety in the event of any advance by the Syrian army. On May 30, pro-government sources even claimed that Turkish artillery carried out several strikes on positions of the Syrian army near Oryam Al-Kubra. In response to the Turkish posture, the Syrians created additional fortifications at their positions in Syracube and Marat-Anuman, as well as the Zawiyam mountain. Pro-militant sources also claimed that the army from time to time conducts limited precision strikes on militant positions along the contact line in southern Idlib. On top of this, late on May 31st and unidentified unmanned combat aerial vehicle delivered a series of air strikes on militant positions on the Al-Zawiyam mountain. At least three militants were reportedly killed. The material damage remains unclear. On May 30th, ISIS cells targeted a Syrian army vehicle with an IED and then shelled it near Al-Sakna. Three soldiers were allegedly killed. The anti-ISIS raid that came in response to the attack led to no results. On the next day, reports appeared that an officer and a soldier were killed in two separate ISIS attacks in the provinces of Holmes and Derrazor. Over the past weeks, government forces have contributed notable efforts to hunt down ISIS cells hiding in the Holmes Derrazor desert. Despite this, the terrorist threat still remains high in the area.