Israel Matzav

Turkey ignoring arms shipments to Syria

Turkey has abandoned its former Syrian ally, Bashar al-Assad, in disgust over his slaughter of Syrian civilians. Or has Turkey abandoned Assad? Turkey may still have some sympathies for Assad after all (Hat Tip: Joshua I). And while they supply Syria with weapons, they are supplying weapons to the Hezbullah terror organization as well.

According to the report, three Turkish companies are selling equipment to a Syrian government research institute that makes vehicle armor and ammunition for the police and the army.

At the heart of the operation is the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) in Syria, currently subject to US and EU sanctions.

“Some of the weapons produced by SSRC are supplied to the Syrian military, while others end up in the hands of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon,” the newspaper's source noted.

Claims that the Turkish Government Scientific and Technological Research Council, TÜBITAK, is assisting SSRC with research have also been raised, but TÜBITAK refused comment.

...

SSRC has been subject to US economic sanctions since 2005 for co-operating with Iran and North Korea and for providing arms to Hezbollah. It is also listed under the EU's sanctions "black list" imposed in December last year.

According to The Times' intelligence source, the SSRC disguises its procurement of weapons-related material by making false declarations to export authorities and using brokers and cover companies in different countries.

The Turks are playing both sides of the game, and those who are capable of stopping them - the US and the Russians - aren't willing to act to do so.

Labels: arms sales, Syria, Syrian sanctions, Turkey

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:08 AM