Israel reportedly warns U.S. that Russia plans
to sell advanced S-300 missile batteries to Syria • Leak comes one day
after Kerry leaves Moscow • Anti-aircraft missiles would make no-fly
zone impossible.
A Russian S-300 missile battery
|
Photo credit: Russian Defense Ministry  |
Israel has warned the U.S. that Russia plans
to sell advanced ground-to-air missile systems to Syria despite Western
pressure on Moscow to hold off on such a move, The Wall Street Journal
reported on Wednesday.
The newspaper said U.S. officials had
confirmed they were analyzing the Israeli reports, but would not comment
on whether they believed the sale of S-300 missile batteries was near.
No comment was immediately available from officials at the Pentagon or State Department.
Similarly, The New York Times also reported on
Wednesday that the delivery of the Russian S-300 missile batteries
would represent a major qualitative advancement in Syria’s air defenses.
The system is regarded as highly effective and would limit the ability
of the U.S. and other nations to operate over Syrian airspace or impose a
no-fly zone, the Times reported.
The leaks come less than a day after U.S.
officials said Secretary of State John Kerry would "make another stab"
at seeing if the U.S. and Russia could work together to find a political
solution to end Syria's ongoing civil war during his visit to Moscow
this week, a visit that ended on Tuesday. According to foreign reports,
Israel conducted two air raids on Syria last Thursday and then again on
Saturday, despite widespread reports that Syria's air defenses are
considered fearsome and extremely advanced.
The government of Syrian President Bashar
al-Assad has been seeking to purchase the advanced S-300 missile
batteries, which can intercept both manned aircraft and guided missiles,
from Moscow for many years.
Western nations have repeatedly urged Russia
to block the sale, which they argue could complicate any international
intervention in Syria's escalating civil war.
The Journal said the information provided to
Washington by Israel showed that Syria had been making payments on a
2010 agreement with Moscow to buy four batteries for $900 million,
including a payment made this year through Russia's foreign-development
bank, known as the VEB.
The paper said the package included six
launchers and 144 operational missiles, each with a range of 125 miles
(200 kilometers), with an initial shipment expected in the next three
months.
While the effectiveness of Syria's aging air
force is unclear, most experts believe that its air-defense missile
system, which was upgraded after a 2007 Israeli strike on a suspected
nuclear site, remains quite potent.
Meanwhile, the White House said Wednesday that
U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu had spoken by telephone about regional security issues and
Middle East peace. The White House said the two leaders had agreed to
continue their "close coordination."
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