BBC: Saudi Weapons Seen with Aleppo’s Rebels

Local Editor

BBC News has uncovered evidence that weapons intended for the Saudi military have been diverted to Syrian rebels.

According to the channel's correspondent, three crates from an arms manufacturer - addressed to Saudi Arabia - have been seen in a base being used by rebel fighters in the city of Aleppo.
How the small crates reached Aleppo is unknown, and the BBC was not allowed to film their contents.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia has refused to comment on the matter.
In parallel, crates of ammunition found in an Aleppo mosque were made by the Ukrainian firm Dastan, which specializes in naval weapons and missile complexes.
One of its key exports is the 7.62mm cartridge used in the AK-47 semi-automatic rifle and its modifications - used by both the Syrian army and rebels

What was in the crates is unknown, said the BBC's Ian Pannell, who has been in Aleppo, as is how they ended up there.

"But their presence clearly suggests that someone in the Gulf is actively helping the rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad regime," Pannell added.

The BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner stated that "Saudi Arabia generally prefers to conduct its foreign affairs through low-key, behind-the-scenes discretion."
"The apparent discovery of Saudi ammunition in a Syrian mosque could attract unwelcome attention," he confirmed.

Privately, opposition sources have confirmed to the BBC that they are receiving assistance from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.


Source: BBC, Edited by moqawama.org