The weapons, destined for groups attempting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, have a high possibility of ending up in the hands of al-Qaeda affiliates.
On February 25, the New York Times revealed that “Saudi Arabia has financed a large purchase of infantry weapons from Croatia and quietly funneled them to antigovernment fighters in Syria,” adding that U.S., European, Jordanian and CIA officials all declined comment.
On March 8, The London Telegraph, citing a newspaper article published in Croatia, said the operation required 75 cargo flights to deliver the weapons, beginning in November. Most of the cargo flights landed in Jordan before the arms were moved over the border into Syria, according to reports.
“The first cargo planes involved with the shipment were from Turkey, but most have been from Jordanian International Air Cargo, whose Russian-made Ilyushin jets have been seen regularly at Zaghreb airport in recent months” reported the Telegraph, citing the Croat newspaper.
The Telegraph says Saudi Arabia financed the shipments “at the bidding of the United States,” which assisted in supplying the weapons. The paper says the shipments “transited Turkey and Jordan on their way to Syria.”
