Mideast Update:

The West Raises The Ante on Syria

6-19-13

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Syrian Rebels Get Heavy Weapons
While Putin Talks With Obama

Much like a typical Hollywood cowboy movie poker game, European nations and Saudi Arabia have raised the ante in a "high-stakes" poker game with Russia and Iran over the fate of Syrian President Assad's regime.

Even as Russian President Putin debated with President Obama and other G-8 leaders over intervention in Syria, heavy weapons were being delivered to Syrian rebels. Saudi Arabia reportedly shipped anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles to the rebels. The anti-aircraft missiles are of the shoulder-fired variety. European sources have reportedly sent heavy 120mm recoilless cannons mounted on jeeps with plenty of ammunition.

The first weapons shipments were airlifted into Turkey, Monday and then moved across the border into northern Syria and the Aleppo region where Assad's loyalist forces have massed for a final offensive to wipe out all rebel resistance in Syria's largest city. At the same time, smaller quantities of heavy weapons were reportedly airlifted into Jordan and smuggled into southern Syria.

Assad had already warned Europe that it will "pay the price" for any weapons delivered to Syrian rebels. Now that weapons have arrived, it remains to be seen how Assad, the Russians and Iran choose to respond.

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Assad Issues Warning

Europe Will "Pay the Price"

If It Arms Syrian Rebels

“If the Europeans deliver weapons, the backyard of Europe will become terrorist…”

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Putin Dashes G8 Efforts on Syria


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Syrian Forces Training To

Storm Israel's Border

Several thousand Syrian soldiers have been flown to Iran for special training from an elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. The special training focuses on training for attacking Israeli positions on the Golan Heights and driving Israeli forces out of the Golan region. The Syrian training force is expected to finish its training and return to Syria in July.

Hezbollah is also training some Syrian Army units in guerrilla warfare as part of the strategy for re-taking the Golan heights. More details, LINK HERE.

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80,000 Assad Troops Prepare
To Re-Take the City of Aleppo


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3 Rockets Hit Southern Israel
Fired From Gaza Strip


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