Russia calls U.S. move to better arm
Syrian rebels a 'hostile act'
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[December 27, 2016]
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on
Tuesday that a U.S. decision to ease some restrictions on arming Syrian
rebels had opened the way for deliveries of shoulder-fired anti-aircraft
missiles, a move it said would directly threaten Russian forces in
Syria.
Moscow last year launched a campaign of air strikes in Syria to help
President Bashar al-Assad and government forces in a conflict with
rebels, some of whom are supported by the United States.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the policy change
easing some restrictions on weapons supplies to rebels was set out in a
new U.S. defence spending bill and that Moscow regarded the step as a
hostile act.
U.S. President Barack Obama signed the annual defence policy bill into
law last week.
"In the administration of B. Obama they must understand that any weapons
handed over will quickly end up in the hands of jihadists with whom the
sham 'moderate' opposition have long acted jointly," Zakharova said in a
statement.
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"Such a decision is a direct threat to the Russian air force, to other
Russian military personnel, and to our embassy in Syria, which has come
under fire more than once. We therefore view the step as a hostile one."
Zakharova accused the Obama administration of trying to "put a mine"
under the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump by
attempting to get it to continue what she called Washington's
"anti-Russian line."
During his election campaign, Trump said he was keen to try to improve
relations with Moscow and spoke positively about President Vladimir
Putin's leadership skills.
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![](../images/122716pics/news_J9.jpg)
Rebel fighter clean a weapon in al-Rai town, northern Aleppo
countryside, Syria December 25, 2016. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
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A back-and-forth exchange between Trump and Putin over nuclear
weapons last week tested the Republican's promises to improve
relations with Russia.
The Obama administration and U.S. intelligence officials have
accused Russia of trying to interfere with the U.S. election by
hacking Democratic Party accounts.
(Reporting by Andrew Osborn/Peter Hobson; Editing by Raissa
Kasolowsky)
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