Russia Secretly Airlifting Anti-Aircraft Systems In Syria
DEBKAfile Intelligence
April 4, 2005
DEBKAfile’s exclusive military sources reveal Moscow has run an arms airlift to Damascus. As Assad promised UN envoy Tersen Sunday to withdraw Syrian troops from Lebanon by April 30, 20 mobile Igla-S anti-air missiles, advanced version of SA-18 Grouse were landing in Damascus.
Our intelligence sources checking to see if missiles came with Russian anti-air radar and advanced rockets to fill the hole in Syria air defenses left by Syrian radar and intelligence units’ pull-out from Lebanon. If so, they would signal Moscow’s intent to back Assad regime against American-French steps in Lebanon.
See January 24 article revealing how Russia is planning the air protection of both Syria and Iran.