Here is the reason behind the commotion on the coast:

The #Syria/n state dealt a blow to #Russia by terminating the agreement for the Tartus port and expelling Russian workers from it. Russia responded through its agents by launching a counterattack—but only in the realm of fantasy: withdrawals, aviation, Maher, and similar stories.

Face-to-face, when it truly mattered, they were defeated and fled like small rats... 

By: @MT77W