AFP, Moscow
A possible Western intervention in Syria would not bring an “easy victory” because the Damascus government has enough air defense systems to rebuff attacks, the Interfax news agency said Tuesday.
“If the U.S. army together with NATO launch an operation against Syria there won’t be an easy victory,” the news agency quoted a military-diplomatic source as saying.
“Multi-functional surface-to-air missile system Buk-M2E and other means of air defense that the Syrian troops possess will give a proper response to the aggressors,” the source added.
The source said Syria currently has up to 10 batteries of such air defense systems.
The Soviet and Russian-made Buk are medium-range surface-to-air missile systems designed to engage cruise missiles, bombs and unmanned aircraft.
http://rt.com/news/syria-foreign-minister-strike-050/
Despite threats of international intervention, Damascus will continue its military efforts against the rebels, Syria’s Foreign Minister has said. Decrying plans for a foreign strike as “deluded,” he said any attempt to hinder the Syrian army would fail.
Speaking at a press conference in Damascus, Muallem condemned western allegations that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons on its own citizens as “a lie.”
“No country in the world uses weapons of mass destruction against its own people,” said Muallem.
He also rejected claims that the government had delayed the UN inspectors’ probe of the Ghouta site.
“The UN team did not ask to go to site until Saturday,” said Muallem, stressing that government permission was granted Sunday. Muallum went on to say that the UN team’s mission had been temporarily put on hold until Wednesday as a safety precaution after unidentified snipers opened fire on the inspectors on Monday.
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“The [government’s] military effort will not stop around Damascus. If the purpose is to limit the victories of our armed forces, they will not be successful,” said Muallem, adding that a foreign strike would only play into the hands of Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist groups operating in Syria.