US
assists, funnels arms to Syrian insurgents: Russia
Russia
says the United States assists and coordinates arms deliveries to
foreign-sponsored insurgents battling the Syrian government forces.
25
October, 2012
“Washington
is aware of the deliveries of various weapons to illegal armed groups
active in Syria. Moreover, judging by the declarations of US
officials published in US media, the US coordinates and provides
logistical assistance in such deliveries,” the Russian Foreign
Ministry said in a statement issued on Thursday.
On
Wednesday, Russia's chief military officer said that Syrian armed
groups have acquired US-made weapons, including Stinger anti-aircraft
missiles.
General
Nikolai Makarov said it was not clear who had delivered the arms.
“We
have information that the rebels fighting the Syrian army have
shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles of several states,
including Stingers made in the United States,” he said.
“We
need to still find out who has delivered them,” General Makarov
noted.
The
senior Russian military official added that it was possible that
these and other weapons could have been delivered to the Syrian
insurgents from abroad on several means of transport.
US
broadcaster NBC News reported in July that Syrian insurgents had
obtained two dozen man-portable air defense systems (known as
MANPADS), delivered via Turkey.
“The
Americans say that they have not delivered anything to the rebels,”
General Makarov said.
He
stated, “But we have reliable information that the Syrian rebels
have foreign-made MANPADS, including American ones.”
Syria
has been experiencing unrest since March 2011. Damascus says outlaws,
saboteurs, and armed terrorists are the driving factor behind the
unrest and deadly violence, while the opposition accuses the security
forces of being behind the killings.
The
Syrian government says that the chaos is being orchestrated from
outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number
of the armed militants are foreign nationals.
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