US DoS Will Not Confirm If Gulf States Aim to Arm Syrian Rebels With MANPADS

US Department of State will not confirm if Gulf allies might arm the Syrian opposition with portable air-defense weapons, or MANPADS, department spokesperson Mark Toner said in a briefing on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The comment comes as it was reported that Gulf States, or even Turkey, could arm Syrian rebels amid the collapse of the ceasefire. The supplies may include shoulder-fired missiles that could be used against warplanes.

“I am not going to confirm what anonymous US officials may or may not have said,” Toner told reporters when asked about a report that Gulf states may arm opposition with MANPADS like the US did 30 years ago against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.