DUBAI: Saudi Arabia is reportedly in talks with Pakistan to provide anti-aircraft and anti-tank rockets to Syrian rebels fighting forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, a Saudi source said on Sunday.
The United States has long opposed arming the rebels with such weapons, fearing they might end up in the hands of extremists, but Syrian opposition figures say the failure of Geneva peace talks seems to have led Washington to soften its opposition.
Pakistan makes its own version of Chinese shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles, known as Anza, and anti-tank rockets — both of which Riyadh is trying to get for the rebels, said the source, who is close to Saudi decision-makers.
The source pointed to a visit to Riyadh earlier this month by Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, who met Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz. Prince Salman himself last week led a large delegation to Pakistan, shortly after Saudi Arabia’s chief diplomat, Prince Saud al-Faisal, visited the kingdom’s ally.
Jordan will be providing facilities to store the weapons before they are delivered to rebels in Syria, according to the source.
AFP could not obtain confirmation from officials in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan or Jordan.