Syrian Rebels Repeat Their Request To The U.S. To Supply Them With Surface-To-Air Missiles

The strikes were carried out against targets in the strategic western province of Homs, though the U.S., which was given an hour’s notice of the attacks by Moscow, said that the sites hit were not in areas held by ISIS. Source: Reuters

Russia Beyond The Headlines: Syrian rebels ask U.S. for arms to defend against Russian strikes

Representatives of “moderate” rebel groups in Syria opposed to the regime of Bashar al-Assad have asked the U.S. to supply them with surface-to-air missiles to counter Russian air strikes, American media have reported. Russian observers say this is unlikely but caution that arms may be supplied by the key regional sponsors of Syria’s opposition, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

As accusations that Russia is bombing “moderate” opposition in Syria instead of ISIS targets continue to mount, the Washington Post reported on Oct. 2 that several rebel Syrian groups had asked the U.S. to supply them with air defense systems to counter Russian aircraft, which have been bombarding their positions.

However, should Washington or its allies take this step, it would be a throwback to Cold War times, when the U.S. supplied arms to Afghanistan’s mujahideen warriors for their fight against the Soviet army, and could further whip up tensions in the West’s relations with Moscow.

Update: The Syrian rebels are beginning to realize that the dynamics on the ground have changed .... Syrian rebels face a new reality amid Russian air campaign (AP).

WNU Editor: If the U.S. supplies weapons to the Syrian rebels .... there will be blow-back. In what form and where .... I do not know but I do know that it will happen.