Pentagon says no US handover of MANPADS to Syria opposition

The United States has not supplied man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) to any groups of Syria’s opposition, a Department of Defense official has said.

"We have not provided MANPADS," the official has told TASS commenting on media reports that Syria’s anti-government groups have asked Washington to hand over to them these systems to be used against Russia’s warplanes.

• The Washington Post newspaper has reported that at least two anti-governmental groups in Syria backed by the US have asked the US administration to provide them with MANPADS.

"And some of the warplanes and helicopters could be vulnerable to shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles, or MANPADS," the report said. An unnamed representative of US military circles said the request was being allegedly considered.
[tass.ru]
4/10/15
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Related:

• U.S.-backed Syrian rebels appeal for antiaircraft missiles