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Syria Using Advanced Iranian Missiles: US

Meanwhile, two Syrian air force generals defect, Russia may meet opposition

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 28, 2012 8:45 AM CST

(Newser) – The Syrian military has fired two missiles in the past week that US officials believe are a newer, more-accurate model from Iran. These Fateh A-110 missiles have less range than the Scud variants the regime has been relying on, with a maximum distance of 125 miles versus 185. But they have an error radius of just 330 feet, compared to 1,480 feet for the Scuds, CNN reports. In other Syria developments:

  • Turkish officials say two regime air force generals have defected, joining rebels across the border, the AP reports. The defections come one day after the head of Syria's military police did the same.
  • Russia's foreign minister says he has contacted Syria's opposition in the hopes of meeting with the group. Russia has been a consistent backer of Bashar al-Assad, and still hasn't formally recognized the Syrian National Coalition; the meeting represents a major step in that direction.

In this photo obtained from the Iranian Students News Agency, ISNA, a surface-to-air missile is fired by Iran's army, during a maneuver, in an undisclosed location in Iran, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012.
In this photo obtained from the Iranian Students News Agency, ISNA, a surface-to-air missile is fired by Iran's army, during a maneuver, in an undisclosed location in Iran, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012.   (AP Photo/ISNA, Amin Khosroshahi)
Smoke rises from buildings from heavy shelling in Homs, Syria, Dec. 27, 2012, in this image taken from video.
Smoke rises from buildings from heavy shelling in Homs, Syria, Dec. 27, 2012, in this image taken from video.   (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP video)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a news conference following the Action Group on Syria meeting in the Palace of Nations, June 30, 2012, at the UN Headquarters in Geneva.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a news conference following the Action Group on Syria meeting in the Palace of Nations, June 30, 2012, at the UN Headquarters in Geneva.   (AP Photo/Martial Trezzini, Keystone)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 27 comments
George-Jetson
Dec 28, 2012 12:44 PM CST
Accurate to within a football field. Hmmmm.
HANKHILL
Dec 28, 2012 12:34 PM CST
and this is nuzzzzzzzz?
jgarbuz
Dec 28, 2012 11:18 AM CST
North Korea and Iran will have ICBMs capable of hitting  the US mainland within 3 more years.
 

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