| Submit your comments on this article |
| Middle East |
| Hezbollah resumes use of SA-7s |
| 2002-04-23 |
| The Iranian-backed Hizbullah has resumed the use of anti-aircraft missiles against Israel. Lebanese sources said Hizbullah fired SA-7 missiles for the first time since Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in June 2000. Hizbullah fired the missiles toward Israeli fighter-jets that attacked targets in southern Lebanon on April 8. The sources said the Hizbullah use of SA-7s appear to mark a new stage in its military campaign against Israel. So far, Hizbullah had deployed anti-aircraft artillery against Israeli fighter-jets but had refrained from using heat-seeking SA-7 missiles. The sources said the missiles were being operated by Iranian military personnel in southern Lebanon. Israeli warplanes released red balloons to divert the missiles. No aircraft was struck. Hizbullah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah said the movement has numerous other weapons that could be used against Israel. SA-7 is pretty old technology. They were replaced in the Soviet inventory by the SA-14 in the early to mid-80s. They're shoulder-fired heat seekers. It looks like Hezbollah's trying to increase it's martyr count. The use of napalm, for instance, will cause the SA-7 to wander off-course. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |