Syrian opposition seeks anti-aircraft weapons.

(Baonghean.vn) - On October 10, the main opposition group in Syria called on foreign allies to provide rebel forces with surface-to-air weapons to counter the devastating airstrikes in the city of Aleppo.

A soldier carries a shoulder-mounted anti-aircraft system during a military exercise. Photo: Sputnik.

Following two days of talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Salem al-Meslet, spokesman for the High Negotiations Committee (HNC), said the Syrian opposition hopes "brotherly and friendly countries... will lift the embargo on sophisticated weapons imposed on them."

Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabia-led Arab coalition has offered the opposition fighting against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime advanced weapons such as man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS).

Experts say this could shift the balance of power on the battlefield and make Damascus more willing to engage in dialogue, but US officials fear these weapons could fall into the hands of extremists.

Recently, Syrian government forces and Russian warplanes have intensified airstrikes on Aleppo, killing dozens of civilians and raising international concerns.

Lan Ha

(According to AFP)