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Wednesday 7 May 2014

Syrian opposition asks for anti-aircraft arms from US. -- Washington has consistently resisted previous requests

The head of the Syrian National Coalition for Revolutionary and Opposition Forces called for the U.S. to supply anti-aircraft weapons to rebels who have been dealt serious blows by Syrian President Bashar al Assad’s air force.

“We do have a problem with the air forces, the air raids and the barrel bombs,” said Ahmad Jarba, the president of the Syrian National Coalition while speaking at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington Wednesday. “This is making our life a nightmare, so we want weapons that will be able to neutralize the air force.”



  • Washington has consistently resisted previous requests for anti-aircraft weaponry, however, fearing that militants could use them against civilian aircraft.

Jarba’s call comes as rebel forces withdrew from the highly symbolic city of Homs, known as the “capital of the revolution,” following two years of bloody clashes and blockades by the Syrian military. Homs was one of the first cities to participate in anti-government protests, which led to a strong handed clampdown by Syrian security forces eventually embroiling the entire country in civil war.

Still, the opposition leader has insisted that he does not want U.S. forces to enter the fray.

  • “We do not want from the West, from the United States, from the East, we do not want them to send their sons to our country, we do not want for Americans to die in Syria as they died in Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Jarba. “We do want them to face terrorism.”

  • He thanked the U.S. for its political support.

Jarba is leading a week-long delegation of Syrian opposition leaders to Washington during which time he will meet with members of the U.S. Congress, the State Department and the National Security Council.

  • Earlier this week, the U.S. announced that it will grant the Syrian Opposition’s offices in Washington and New York foreign mission status, and provide the group with a further $27 million in nonlethal assistance.
[aa.com.tr]
7/5/14

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