DAMASCUS, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- A joint Syrian-Russian military delegation on Monday toured several military points and sites in southern Syria as part of expanding cooperation between the two countries, the Syrian defense authorities said.

According to a statement from the Directorate of Media and Communications of the Syrian defense authorities, the tour aimed to review the on-the-ground situation in the southern region and assess operational conditions within the framework of ongoing coordination between the two armed forces.

No further details were provided on the specific locations visited.

The tour came a day after the chief of the Syrian defense authorities, Murhaf Abu Qasra, met in Damascus with a high-ranking Russian military delegation headed by Russian First Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-bek Yevkurov.

The meeting focused on military cooperation and mechanisms to strengthen coordination in ways that serve the shared interests of both countries, the Syrian defense authorities said.

Syria and Russia have resumed active engagement recently, with senior officials from both sides making reciprocal visits.

On Oct. 15, Syria's interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa made his first official visit to Russia since taking office earlier this year. On Oct. 28, Abu Qasra met with Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov in Moscow on joint military issues.