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Russian Shipments of Air Defense Systems to Syria Rile Israel
Israel growing increasingly angry over
Russian-made systems, which it considers to be specifically directed
against the Jewish state
Jason Ditz antiwar.com and Russia Insider.
The
Russian shipments of military aid to Syria have not materially changed
in the last several years, but the shipments are expected to continue to
rile Israel, with reports of more planned air defense systems to be
delivered soon.
In 2013, Russia sent a Pantsir-S1 point air defense system to Syria,and plans to send a second set to Syria this
year. These are the most advanced anti-aircraft missile systems in
possession of the Syrian government, and since Israel is the only
country really launching airstrikes against Syria’s government, it is
seen as targeting them.
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Though these shipments were planned for some time, Russia’s military aid to Syria has recently become a major issue, with the US in particular complaining about Russia’s support for the Syrian government. Russia has noted that the shipments are generally aimed at supporting Syria’s war against ISIS.
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That’s the case with most of their shipments, indeed, but since ISIS doesn’t have an air force, the air defense systems clearly don’t have any real utility against them. Syria ordered the Pantsir-S1 systems in 2006, though most of the order has yet to be delivered.
.
Though these shipments were planned for some time, Russia’s military aid to Syria has recently become a major issue, with the US in particular complaining about Russia’s support for the Syrian government. Russia has noted that the shipments are generally aimed at supporting Syria’s war against ISIS.
.
That’s the case with most of their shipments, indeed, but since ISIS doesn’t have an air force, the air defense systems clearly don’t have any real utility against them. Syria ordered the Pantsir-S1 systems in 2006, though most of the order has yet to be delivered.
