Syria's navy forces on Saturday carried out war games using live ammunition, as part of military maneuvers that will continue for the next few days with the participation of several types of the Syrian armed forces, the state-run SANA news agency said.

The naval war games have been carried out with high efficiency, said SANA, adding that the military maneuvers have come to test the combat readiness of the armed forces in a real war-like circumstances.

The state news agency said all targets were hit successfully, adding that navy gunboats and helicopters were used in the war games.

The new maneuvers come as the country is witnessing mounting international pressure and repetitive calls by the broad-based opposition for a military intervention in Syria.

(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2012)