Russia: US arms support for Syrian opposition is counterproductive.

(Baonghean.vn) - "Any attempt by Washington to supply man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) to the Syrian opposition will be completely counterproductive," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said on September 30.

Illustration photo: Sputnik.

Earlier that day, US State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said that the US supports the opposition in Syria but declined to say whether Washington would provide additional weapons to these opposition groups.

"I think this would be a completely counterproductive approach," Deputy Minister Bogdanov said in an interview with RT television regarding recent reports that Washington may be considering supplying advanced weapons to the Syrian opposition, including air defense missile systems.

"Ultimately, these people (Syrian rebels), having been trained and armed by the US, may do the same things they did on September 11, 2001, in New York," Deputy Minister Bogdanov emphasized.

He also added that this action could pose a significant danger, especially to both Russian and American aircraft.

"This is very dangerous, because today they might shoot down a Syrian government plane, but tomorrow they could shoot down our plane and even an American plane," the Russian diplomat said.

Syria has been mired in a civil war since 2011, with forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad's government on one side and opposition factions and extremist Islamist groups on the other.

The US has been supporting opposition forces considered to be the "moderate" faction in Syria, while Russia has been supporting the legitimate Syrian government.

Khang Duy

(According to Sputnik)