June 21, 2013 -- Updated 1808 GMT (0208 HKT)
Syrian rebels have received heavy weapons -- including anti-tank and
anti-aircraft missiles -- from "brotherly nations that support the
Syrian revolution," a rebel spokesman said Friday. FULL STORY
June 21, 2013 -- Updated 1326 GMT (2126 HKT)
Members of the Free Syrian Army
react as they fire a homemade rocket toward regime forces in Deir al-Zor
on Sunday, June 16. Tensions in Syria flared in March 2011 during the
onset of the Arab Spring, escalating into an ongoing civil war. View the
most compelling images taken since the start of the conflict.
HIDE CAPTION
Syrian civil war in photos
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- The weapons are from "brotherly nations," a rebel spokesman says
- Louay Almokdad of the Free Syrian Army says they represent "a turning point"
- The issue of military assistance is expected to be raised Saturday in Doha, Qatar
Free Syrian Army
political and media coordinator Louay Almokdad told CNN during a phone
call from Istanbul that Free Syrian Army leaders believe the weapons
"will be a turning point" in the war against government forces "and will
definitely change the rules of the war on the ground."
The issue of providing
military assistance to Syrian rebels is expected to be further addressed
Saturday at a "Friends of Syria" meeting in Doha, Qatar, which will be
attended by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
The White House has not
publicly specified what steps it would take to support members of
Syria's opposition, though sources have told CNN that small arms,
ammunition and possibly anti-tank weapons would be part of the
assistance package.
Arming Syria's opposition
Obama, Putin disagree on Syrian solution
Syrian rebels have long
sought anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, saying they are outgunned by
President Bashar al-Assad's military.
The White House
announcement this month that it was increasing the "size and scope" of
its material support to Syrian rebels came after months of political
debate over the U.S. role in the conflict. Great Britain and France were
strong backers of the May decision to end the European Union arms
embargo on Syria, and all three countries have asserted that al-Assad's
regime used chemical weapons.
Al-Assad has denied the assertion.
In recent weeks, the
rebels have suffered a series of devastating setbacks, including the
loss of the stronghold of Qusayr near the Lebanon border.
CNN's Hamdi Alkhshali contributed to this report.
TOP MIDDLE EAST STORIES
- Many Jordan teens back 'honor killings'
- At least 14 killed in Pakistan mosque bombing
- Jewish man killed near Western Wall
- Taliban make changes to Doha office
- Sources: New Palestinian PM asks to resign
- Qatari envoy jailed over deadly mall fire
- G8 leaders: Syrian crisis must be solved
- Dozens killed in bombing at Baghdad mosque
- Iran qualifies for 2014 World Cup
- copy http://edition.cnn.com/
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário