The United States remains concerned about Russian arms shipments to Syria, a top US official said Friday, but downplayed reports of anti-ship missiles being sent to Damascus as not new.
“We remain concerned about any aid that is being provided to help the Syrian regime by the Russians or anyone else, including any form of missile,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
“That’s a concern we’ve expressed publicly, and the secretary and others have expressed privately as well.”
The New York Times reported on Friday that Russia had sent Syria a shipment of upgraded Yakhonts anti-ship missiles that would make any naval blockade of Syria more difficult.
“Russia had previously provided a version of the missiles to Syria,” The Times wrote. “But those delivered recently are outfitted with an advanced radar that makes them more effective,” it added, citing American officials.
But Psaki took issue with the timeline, saying: “We’re not aware of new shipments of these specific missiles.”
“These specific missiles, the Yakhont anti-ship missile was reported in December of 2011.”
US Secretary of State John Kerry warned last week that such missiles sales would be “destabilizing” amid reports Moscow was planning to go ahead with a million deal to sell sophisticated surface-to-air missiles to Syria.
Psaki, however, also stressed that Washington was “pleased” that Moscow was working with the United States to try to organize an international peace conference on Syria.
US renews concern at Syria arms shipments
