Tag Archives: Syria
13 August 2013
The New York Times reported that Sudan has provided weapons for the Syrian rebels, adding yet another layer to the unregistered multinational arms pipeline supplying the opposition forces first reported by the NYT in June.
According to Western officials and Syrian rebels, the Sudanese government sold anti-aircraft missiles and small arms cartridges to Qatar in publically unacknowledged deals, and Qatar arranged for them to be delivered to the Syrian opposition forces through Turkey. Sudan, that maintains close ties with Iran and China, has reportedly denied sending weapons to the opposition forces.
Source: The New York Times | Arms Shipments Seen From Sudan to Syria Rebels
9 August 2013
The Associated Press reported that the Jordanian police is questioning two Syrians suspected of attempting to smuggle a large weapons cache, including surface-to-air missiles, into Jordan.
Jordanian officials did not reveal whether the suspects were affiliated with the Syrian opposition, and the purpose of the on-going investigation is to determine whether the men were rebels seeking to hide weapons in Jordan or stage attacks there. Jordan, a key US-ally in the region, has been concerned of the Syrian war spilling across the border and, despite official denials, reportedly acted as a transit point earlier this year for Saudi and Qatari weapons destined for Syrian rebels.
Source: Associated Press | Jordan foils alleged Syrian arms smuggling attempt
8 August 2013
According to a report by CNN, the CIA was conducting a weapons smuggling operation from Libyan arms depots to the Syrian rebels when the United States’ embassy in Benghazi was attacked in September 2012.
The report alleges the possibility that CIA operations in Benghazi were secretly helping to transport surface-to-air missiles from Libyan depots, through Turkey, to Syrian rebel groups. The CIA has not commented on any involvement in weapons transfers, while the State Department has denied involvement and stated it was merely helping the new Libyan government destroy unsafe weapons.
Source: CCN | The Lead | Exclusive: Dozens of CIA operatives on the ground during Benghazi attack
Source: Centre for Research on Globalization | CIA Was Smuggling Weapons to Syrian Rebels During Benghazi Embassy Attack: “Unnamed Source”
29 July 2013
The UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Robert Serry warned the UN Security Council that the Syrian conflict is turning global.
Serry stated that Syria is increasingly turning into a regional, if not a global, battleground citing a surge in sectarian violence in Syria and the broader region. According to Serry, the use of military might against civilian areas by the government forces attracts increasing numbers of foreign fighters.
The statement comes after the UN special envoy to Iraq warned the Security Council two weeks ago that the battlefields in Iraq and Syria are merging.
Source: The Washington Post | UN envoy warns that Syrian conflict is increasingly regional, if not global
26 July 2013
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres addressed gaps in the protection of Syrian refugees who are fleeing to Europe, and urged European states to burden-share and maintain a more generous and consistent approach.
Mr. Guterres said it should be a priority for every EU member state to ensure adequate standards of treatment for Syrian refugees who seek safety in Europe. He observed that only two European states, Sweden and Germany, have received almost two-thirds of the Syrians who are seeking protection in the entire European Union, and highlighted Turkey, which has received more than ten times as many Syrians as have claimed asylum in other countries in Europe.
In order to ‘demonstrate concretely the European commitment to responsibility-sharing with Turkey and other host countries’, it is crucial to find means to ensure that those who seek protection at the borders of the EU have access to procedures, safety and territory, according to Guterres.
He urged that the ‘EU must engage in more burden-sharing initiatives so as to help mitigate the crushing impact which the refugee crisis is having on Syria’s immediate neighbours’.
Source: UN News Centre | As Syrian exodus continues, UN official urges Europe to help shoulder refugee burden
Source: UNHCR News | UN's High Commissioner for Refugees urges Europe to do more for Syrian asylum-seekers