NEWTOWN, Conn. - Syria is strengthening its hold on its Mediterranean Sea coast, especially around the port cities of Lattakia and Tartus which are vital supply links for the Assad regime.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is desperately trying to hold on to power. His new strategy is to concentrate his available security forces in the western portion of Syria. This will enable Assad to maintain his supply lines through Syria's Mediterranean Sea ports and Lebanon, as well as maintain his links with Hezbollah, the Lebanese terrorist group. Hezbollah is providing manpower to Assad.
As part of this strategy, Assad is acquiring additional missiles from Russia. Israeli sources claim Assad has received an upgraded version of the Yakhont anti-ship missile. Russia already provided Syria with its Bastion coastal defense systems armed with the Yakhont missile. These missiles protect Syrian ports and threaten hostile warships, and might be capable of striking Israel's natural gas installations in the Mediterranean Sea.
Source: Forecast Intelligence Center
Associated URL:
http://www.forecastinternational.com
Author: L. Dickerson, Missile Systems
