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Fight against Islamic state

Syrian official: IS may have got air defense systems from Turkey, Saudi Arabia

Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi doesn't rule out that militants may start using man-portable air defense systems

Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi

© AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

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DAMASCUS, April 15. /TASS/. Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi has not ruled out that the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization (banned in Russia) may have received man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) from Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

"It is not ruled out that Turkey and Saudi Arabia may have supplied them, and they [militants] will start using them," al-Zoubi told reporters on Friday.

Ceasefire violations

The minister also told Russian journalists that Syria’s armed forces never violated the ceasefire regime.

"Syria’s army has not violated ceasefire agreements," he said, adding that all details of ceasefire observance are reported to the Russian center for reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria at Russia’s air base in Hmeimim.

"The Syrian and Russian military are closely coordinating all steps and are keeping a cloes eye on all the violations committed by certain armed groups," he said.

Read also

Saudis provide cover for Turkey to start military operation in Syria

A ceasefire regime brokered by Russia and the United States on February 22 officially came into effect in Syria at midnight Damascus time on February 27. This does not cover terrorist groups such as Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra, both outlawed in Russia, and other groups recognized as terrorist by the United Nations Security Council.

An hour before the ceasefire came into force, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution in support cessation of hostilities in Syria. The document was initiated by Russia and the United States and won support from all the 15 members of the United Nations Security Council.

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