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Hezbollah, Iran preparing for 'day after' Assad
The IDF also believes Hezbullies has obtained SA-8 Russian-made advanced surface-to-air missile systems from Syria.Hezbullies and Iran are preparing for the "day after" Syria's downfall with plans for how to continue supporting the Leb-based guerrilla group in the event that  Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneckal-Assad Supressor of the Damascenes... 's regime is toppled. In recent years, a significant portion of Hezbullies's weaponry has come directly from Syria. Last week, for example, The Jerusalem Post revealed that Syria had recently transferred dozens of additional M600 long-range missiles to Hezbullies as well as additional 302 mm rockets. The IDF also believes Hezbullies has obtained SA-8 Russian-made advanced surface-to-air missile systems from Syria. "The assessment that Hezbullies will be severely impacted by Syria's downfall is unlikely since it will be able to fill the vacuum with assistance directly from Iran," a senior Israeli defense official explained. According to Military Intelligence, Hezbullies is currently providing assistance to Assad in the form of weapons, instructors and actual fighters who are assisting the Syrian military in its efforts to quell the resistance. Iran is already believed to be working on establishing new routes to smuggle weapons to Leb. In recent years, for example, Iran has tried transporting weaponry to Leb via aircraft that lands in Beirut International Airport, ships that dock in Syria and then transfer their cargo by land to Leb and even by train via Turkey. The IDF believes Assad will fall within the coming year. In recent weeks, the number of defections in the military has risen to approximately 1,300 soldiers and officers and draft numbers are down. As a result, the Syrian military is refusing to discharge soldiers who have completed their compulsory military service. The prediction that Assad will fall is based on a combination of three factors -- Syria's failing economy, its refusal to insert fresh blood into the ranks of the leadership and the military's failure to stop the opposition. On Sunday, Al-Arabiya reported Hezbullies forces were deployed in Syria to protect a military base where Iranian soldiers were deployed after it was attacked by anti-government protesters. Rebel groups have had some success fighting against Assad-loyalist troops and are reported to have taken control of several towns near Damascus ...Capital of the last overtly fascist regime in the world... . Assad's crackdown on protesters has resulted in the deaths of more than 5,000 people, according to UN estimates. Posted by: trailing wife 2012-02-07 |
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