Thursday, September 17, 2015

Exclusive – Syrian Army Starts Using New Weapons from Russia: Military Source




Reuters, 17/09 19:23 CET

By Tom Perry

BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian military has recently started using new types of air and ground weapons supplied by Russia, a Syrian military source told Reuters on Thursday, underlining growing Russian support to Damascus that is alarming the United States.

“The weapons are highly effective and very accurate, and hit targets precisely,” the source said in response to a question about Russian support. “We can say they are all types of weapons – be it air or ground.”

The source said the army had been trained in the use of the weapons in recent months and was now deploying them, declining to give further details other than saying they were “new types”.

The Russian government said on Thursday its military support for Damascus was aimed at fighting terrorism, safeguarding Syria’s statehood and preventing a “total catastrophe” in the region.

It includes a larger Russian military presence on the ground in Syria, where President Bashar al-Assad has faced increased pressure this year from rebels fighting to topple him, but its full scope and intentions remain unclear.

Washington, which wants Assad gone from power, has said it believes Russia is undertaking a significant military buildup which could exacerbate the war.

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Source: Euronews

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