Iranian Revolutionary Guards wounded in plane takedown in Damascus - reports
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Alaa al-Basha, a spokesman for the opposition Syrian Military Council, said Friday a number of commanders belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards were wounded in Thursday’s incident when the Free Syrian Army (FSA) destroyed a plane allegedly carrying arms from the Islamic republic.
The FSA hit the plane as it was landing in Damascus International Airport, the SANA Revolution Network reported on Thursday, adding that the Syrian regime had diverted all flights going to the Damascus airport to another in the Soueida area – around 15 kilometers away.
The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency denied the report, saying everything was “normal” at the airport.
“The media reports on the airport carried out by media outlets that are accomplices in Syrian bloodshed are not true,” SANA said.
However, a video posted by activists on YouTube showed a plane catching fire as it tried to land at the airport.
According to various reports – which Al Arabiya cannot confirm – Iran transfers nearly five tons of arms shipment every week. The weapons are reportedly hidden in a special compartment in the aircraft’s cargo.
Iran has remained a steadfast ally of the Syrian regime, with much of its military aid being delivered by plane, usually over Iraq with its government’s compliance.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visited Iraq last week, and pressed the government to stop allowing such flights, describing them as “problematic” and “helping to sustain” the Syrian regime.
For months, Washington has accused Baghdad of turning a blind eye to such flights, and has called on authorities to make random, unannounced inspections.
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I may be mistaken, but somehow I thought incoming and outgoing flights were being monitored in Syria. Iran is very sneaky. They publish items through their newspapers, specifically the Iran Daily making themselves look like they are special in offering words of support and claims of being neighborly. However, all they do by this charade is make themselves look idiotic because the Middle East knows what they are really up to. All their "kind words and displays" are laughed upon because in reality they are wolves in sheep clothing. From the beginning, they have supported Assad by sneaking military personnel and smuggling arms in as well. Mr. Ahmadinejad needs to take care of his own country and not worry about Syria. Syria has exactly what it needs right now through the protection of the FSA, Friends for a Free Syria Coalition, the FSA's new government, and the support of various nations. The world is righting the wrongs done to Syria right now at the hands of Assad, nothing more than a common war criminal. I don't know how he has the audacity to think himself anymore than that. God takes care of his own. Prayers go up continually for Syria and her people. I pray for Mr. Assad to find some measure of peace within hisself and his family. For now, I pray for the peace of Syria. I am thankful to God for prayers answered to protect this country and its people.
