Syria opposition hails US arms supply plan
Iran Press TV
Fri Jun 14, 2013 2:41PM GMT
Syria's foreign-backed opposition has welcomed a decision by the United States to provide militants fighting the Syrian government with new weapons.
“We hope that such a move will not be ink on paper, but will be implemented on the ground as soon as possible,” top commander of foreign-backed militants in Syria, Brigadier General Salim Idris, said on Friday.
In a similar move, the head of the so-called Syrian National Coalition (SNC) George Sabra also welcomed the decision, describing it as “a positive step.”
The New York Times reported on June 13 that the Obama administration has decided to begin supplying the militants in Syria with small arms and ammunition. The assistance, coordinated by the CIA spy agency, could include antitank weapons, the paper said.
Hawkish US Senator John McCain, who is a staunch supporter of arming the militants in Syria, said on the same day that Washington should even think of plans other than sending weapons to the militants “to change the equation on the battleground.”
The turmoil in Syria erupted in March 2011, and many people, including large numbers of Syrian soldiers and security personnel, have been killed so far.
In May, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said militants from 29 different countries were fighting against the government in different parts of the country.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said on June 13 that at least 93,000 people have been killed since the outbreak of the foreign-sponsored militancy against the Syrian government.
MAM/KA/SS
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