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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhile the West deliberates, Saudi Arabia sends anti-aircraft missiles to arm anti-Assad rebels
Opposition fighters in Syria, preparing for a major onslaught by government forces in their northern strongholds around Aleppo, have been equipped for the first time with shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles, it has emerged.
While Western powers deliberate over whether or not to arm certain rebel groups, Saudi Arabia has sent the weapons, which various rebel groups have long stated is their most needed piece of equipment in fighting forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. The Saudis have also sent anti-tank missiles, as those opposed to Assads regime grow ever more concerned about the increasing influence of fighters from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, who have recently poured across the border in support of the Syrian government.
The fact that rebel groups now have anti-aircraft missiles which was revealed by the Reuters news agency means that they can now pose a threat to Assads air force for the first time. Military jets have largely been able to fire on rebel positions without the threat of being shot down, something that has played a significant role in the regular army being able to hold positions it might otherwise have lost to opposition fighters.
According to Reuters, the missiles were obtained from suppliers in France and Belgium, and France had paid to ship them to the region. France is one of the countries along with the UK and the US which says that it is considering sending lethal arms to opposition groups. One of the factors that has hitherto stood in the way of such transfers is a concern over which groups receive assistance a number of Jihadist rebels are now operating in Syria and Western governments are eager to avoid arming such groups.
While Western powers deliberate over whether or not to arm certain rebel groups, Saudi Arabia has sent the weapons, which various rebel groups have long stated is their most needed piece of equipment in fighting forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. The Saudis have also sent anti-tank missiles, as those opposed to Assads regime grow ever more concerned about the increasing influence of fighters from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, who have recently poured across the border in support of the Syrian government.
The fact that rebel groups now have anti-aircraft missiles which was revealed by the Reuters news agency means that they can now pose a threat to Assads air force for the first time. Military jets have largely been able to fire on rebel positions without the threat of being shot down, something that has played a significant role in the regular army being able to hold positions it might otherwise have lost to opposition fighters.
According to Reuters, the missiles were obtained from suppliers in France and Belgium, and France had paid to ship them to the region. France is one of the countries along with the UK and the US which says that it is considering sending lethal arms to opposition groups. One of the factors that has hitherto stood in the way of such transfers is a concern over which groups receive assistance a number of Jihadist rebels are now operating in Syria and Western governments are eager to avoid arming such groups.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/while-the-west-deliberates-saudi-arabia-sends-antiaircraft-missiles-to-arm-antiassad-rebels-in-syria-8662438.html
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While the West deliberates, Saudi Arabia sends anti-aircraft missiles to arm anti-Assad rebels (Original Post)
FarCenter
Jun 2013
OP
I think that's a good way to go about it. Let SA take the heat for giving them the missles. nt
okaawhatever
Jun 2013
#3
leveymg
(36,418 posts)1. The Syrian opposition has had SA-7s looted from Lybia for nearly a year.
Great. Now the Jihadis will have newer, more capable MANPADs with which they can shoot down western airliners once this thing is over.
Great strategy.
truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)2. We are getting into another civil war in the Middle East why, exactly?
The last one or two worked out so well....
okaawhatever
(9,462 posts)3. I think that's a good way to go about it. Let SA take the heat for giving them the missles. nt
leveymg
(36,418 posts)6. We already have taken heat for the missiles in Benghazi.
And, we'll likely take more.
Lefty Nast
(61 posts)4. We don't know all the players
We don't know all the players who had a hand in this in the dark...
jessie04
(1,528 posts)5. Works for me...let SA do it all.
Its damn time they got their hands dirty.
leveymg
(36,418 posts)7. If only that were the case . . . that's what they thought about AQ and Kosovo.
Last edited Mon Jun 17, 2013, 10:17 PM - Edit history (1)
Until 9/11