Some analysts have characterised the possible use of the missiles as a "game-changer" in the Syrian conflict
Syria has already received the first shipment of an advanced Russian air defence system, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad is reported to have said in a Lebanese TV interview.
Russia vowed to go ahead with sending the weapons soon after an EU decision not to renew an arms embargo on Syria.
Mr Assad is also reported to have told Hezbollah-linked Al Manar TV that the tide of the war is turning.
Earlier, a rebel leader told the BBC that Hezbollah was "invading" Syria.
Gen Selim Idriss, in a BBC interview, claimed that more than 7,000 fighters of the Lebanese Shia movement were taking part in attacks on the rebel-held town of Qusair.
Fears of further tension
"Syria has received the first shipment of Russian anti-aircraft S-300 rockets," Al Manar quoted Mr Assad as saying in an interview due to be broadcast later on Thursday.
"The rest of the shipment will arrive soon."
The S-300 is a highly capable surface-to-air missile system that, as well as targeting aircraft, also has the capacity to engage ballistic missiles.
The delivery of such missiles raises fears of further tension with Israel as Syria has said it will respond directly if Israel launches any further air attacks on its territory.
Some analysts have characterised the possible use of the missiles as a "game-changer" in the Syrian conflict.
It is also feared that the missiles could endanger efforts to convene a peace conference on Syria in Geneva in June.
Syrian Foreign Minister, Walid Muallem, said on Wednesday that Syria's armed forces were back on the offensive.
"Our armed forces have regained the momentum,'' he told the Lebanese media.
No comments:
Post a Comment