1 July 2013

New York Times: Qatar takes an outsize role in supplying Syrian opposition

The New York Times reported on Saturday on the aggressive role taken by Qatar in using a shadowy arms network, involving transit through Turkey, Libyan stockpiles, and Chinese-made shoulder-fired missiles that could, according to warnings by US officials, be used to shoot down civilian aircraft if found at the hands of terrorist organizations.

When supplying the rebels in Libya, Qatar was reportedly  giving weapons to Islamic militants, and similar concerns have now been raised with regard to Syria, where the Qatari shipments have enabled the Islamists in the north to become the most capable section of the opposition, the New York Times writes. The small oil-rich gulf state has purportedly taken an outsize role in Syria in order to pursue its interests this ‘backyard’ thereby increasing its influence in the Middle East, without its Western and Arab allies having been able to leverage its policies due to their own strategic alliances with the state.

Source: The New York Times | Taking Outsize Role in Syria, Qatar Funnels Arms to Rebels

25 March 2013

With help from the C.I.A., Arab governments and Turkey increase their military aid to Syria’s opposition fighters

The New York Times reports that in recent months, with help from the C.I.A., Arab governments and Turkey have sharply increased their military aid to Syria’s opposition fighters. The airlift has grown to include more than 160 military cargo flights by Jordanian, Qatari and Saudi cargo planes landing at Esenboga airport near Ankara, and at other Jordanian and Turkish airports. American intelligence officers helped the Arab governments shop for weapons, and vetted groups and rebel commanders to determine who should receive the weapons when they arrive.

Source: The New York Times | Arms Airlift to Syria Rebels Expands, With C.I.A. Aid