Kremlin: Weapons Could Fall Into Terrorists’ Hands in Syria

Local Editor

MANPADS could fall into terrorists' hands after the US lifts restrictions on supplies of arms to Syria allies, and that would be the worst outcome of this decision, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.

The danger of MANPADS falling into terrorists' hands is a "regional and a global threat," Peskov said.

US President Barack Obama on Wednesday in a memorandum to the US Departments of State and US War Department waived restrictions related to providing military assistance to foreign forces in Syria, according to a White House press release issued on Thursday.

"We'll need to pay close attention and understand the main goal, the intentions and the details of this decision. Without doubt, the worst outcome of such decision would be if different weapons, including MANPADS, would fall into terrorists' hands, which, of course, goes against international conventions on this issue and poses a great danger not only to the region, but also <...> to all countries," Peskov said.

When asked if this decision could pose a threat to Russian Aerospace Forces, Peskov said "absolutely".

However, there are certain means of defense. These are very advanced technologies, [guidelines on] precautionary measures that pilots must follow in these conditions. But all the same, the danger is very high," Peskov elaborated.

Earlier on Thursday, State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau claimed that the US position against arming Syrian militants will not change even if army forces retake Aleppo.

The Syrian Army was in the process of retaking the remaining districts held by militants in southern Aleppo, a source told RIA Novosti.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team