The Russian Sukhoi storm that started in Syria on Sept. 30 has reached Lebanon. While no military operations or airstrikes were executed against Lebanon, news about military drills by Russian naval forces in Mediterranean waters led airlines to change their routes in Lebanese airspace. The news also led to a political debate in Beirut and to expectations that further heated developments would follow.

The story of the Russian-Lebanese airspace intersection started on the afternoon of Nov. 20, when member of parliament Walid Jumblatt shared his thoughts on his Twitter account: “The Russians ordered Lebanon that for three days our airspace is to be closed.”

The following three days brought a storm of news. It should be noted that Jumblatt is the majority leader of the Druze community in Lebanon and an opponent of the Syrian regime. His tweet stirred a series of political positions in Beirut by supporters of the Syrian opposition and opponents of the Russian participation in the war in Syria, mainly Jumblatt, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s allies and the March 14 camp.

Those criticizing the Russian measures and opposing Moscow’s involvement in the Syrian war deemed Russia's alleged order to close the Lebanese airspace for three days a violation of Lebanese sovereignty, and said that it would implicate Lebanon in the Syrian war as standing with Bashar al-Assad's regime and against the regime's opponents.