Russia has sent an advanced anti-missile system to Syria, a sign that Russia is already ramping up its efforts to help Syrian President Bashar Assad just days after the U.S. and Russia ended all bilateral cooperation in that country.
U.S. officials told Fox News the new missile system is strong enough to thwart any U.S. cruise missile attack in Syria. The SA-23 Gladiator anti-missile and anti-aircraft system arrived over the weekend at a Russian naval base along Syria’s Mediterranean city of Tartus.
Russian, Syrian and U.S. officials had been in peace talks earlier this month and a week into a cease-fire between Syrian militants and the government when Russia is believed to have bombed 18 United Nations aid trucks near Aleppo. The attack ended the cease-fire and led to Russia’s new tactics of assisting the Syrian government.
Last week, Russia began sending fighter jets and long-range bombers over Syria for attacks on rebel fighters.
Secretary of State John Kerry suspended diplomatic talks with Russia over Syria on Monday over Russia’s ongoing military intervention on behalf of Assad.
