(Franco Iacch)
11/23/15

http://www.difesaonline.it/mondo-militare/siria-monito-degli-iraniani-agli-usa-state-regalando-centinaia-di-missili-anticarro

"We thank our brothers in Free Syrian Army for missiles that they gave us the victory in many battles." A new video, published a few days ago, shows some of the commanders facing Al-Nusra Front (affiliated with al-Qaeda), the fees to thank ESL for TOW missiles "donated". The point is that just these missiles were supplied by the Americans. The video has caused particular outcry in Iran and in Russia (Moscow just has a heavy presence battleship in Syria).

Allies since last March, the Free Syrian Army and the front of the Al-Nusra Front, have created the Jaish al-Fatah (army of conquest), with the aim of fighting against loyalist forces diAssad. Since last March, the two sides have fought together in almost every battle from Aleppo to Lattakia Hama Idlib. Through this alliance several militant groups, such as Al-Nusra Front and the Front movement Ahrar al-Sham (Salafist Islamist group) have had access to the equipment heavy US, provided by the United States, Saudi Arabia and Qatar Free Syrian Army.
According to the Iranian agency Fars, only last month the Saudi Arabia has sent 500 TOW missiles to face Al-Nusra Front. The United States, although the data obtained, continue to supply the so-called moderate militant groups in Syria, some of them linked to al-Qaeda. This, according to the Pentagon, currently seems to be the lesser evil. We know that the TOW missiles (short for Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire-guided), are provided by the United States and its allies and the Free Syrian Army groups fighting against the government of Bashar al-Assad. At a cost of 12-15 thousand dollars per copy, it is clear that, this equipment-tank, part of the standard American support for rebel troops.
The first (massive) use of TOW dates back to the first week of last October, during the first ground offensive by government troops supported by the Russians. Despite the program "train and equip" American has been suspended, the provision of equipment continues. And the reference to what happened in the '80s, when hundreds of Stinger missiles Americans arrived in Afghanistan forever changing the tide of the war against the Soviet Union, is at least relevant. In effect, in Syria it is taking place a real proxy war between Washington and Moscow.

The TOW program, overseen by the CIA, is totally separate from that failed miserably by the Pentagon that, as intended, would have to affect the outcome of the other led war in Syria, one in the north-east of the country against the Islamic state. The CIA has launched the TOW program in early 2014, with the aim of countering Damascus providing training, arms, ammunition and anti-tank missiles: tools that would prove essential to bridge the gap with the heavy equipment of the government loyalist. The missiles arrive in Syria from Saudi Arabia, upon delivery of the CIA. The plan, as described by the Pentagon, was intended to exert sufficient military pressure against Assad's forces and convince him to a political compromise. A sort of "invitation" to the negotiating table, perhaps avoiding the collapse that would unleash chaos in the country. The arrival on the scene of Russia, however, has upset the whole strategy of the CIA.

To date, it is impossible to determine whether the cable guided missiles in rebel hands, can really turn the tide of the war as did the Stinger in the 80s in the hands of the mujahideen. It would be worth noting, however, that in Syria the Russians are relying fighters bombing and helicopters (although for the first time have been spotted near Hama, but after appropriate softening). The TOW program, despite everything, continues. Saudi Arabia reiterates its support (none other than the projection mirror the US) to the rebels. Browse around a clause in the program: the missiles are delivered in limited quantities. To get supplies, the rebels must demonstrate that they possess the same pitchers delivered. A clause, we do not know how this can really work, to avoid the systems can end up on the black market.
In 2013, Saudi Arabia has purchased 13,975 anti-tank missiles, providing fully delivered. By contract, the Saudi government must inform the Member States of final destination of the missiles. The US approval is implied.

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IZAKOVIC