Rebels Attack Civilian Plane in Aleppo, Vow More Strikes on Airport
Rebel Commander: Attack on Syrian Airways Flight a 'Warning'
Syrian rebel officials confirmed an attack on Syrian Airways flight RB201 today, damaging the plane during takeoff with sniper attacks. Most of the damage appears to have centered on the plane’s tires, and commanders said that it was a “warning.”
“We wanted to send a message to the regime that all their planes – military and civilian – are within our reach,” noted Commander Khaldoun, saying the all flights out of Aleppo and Damascus are subject to attack.
The civilian airliner was bound for Cairo, and has mostly flown out of Damascus in recent weeks. The rebels say attacks will continue against the plane in Damascus no matter the cost.
Rebels have repeatedly said that civilian aircraft were “legitimate” targets over the past few months, but today was the first time a plane was confirmed hit by rebel fire. They insist the civilian aircraft are ferrying in weapons, though so far they have not provided any evidence for this charge.
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ubikwitus
December 22nd, 2012 at 4:34 am
What's to be expected? US 'sources' keep on claiming in the media that the domestic airliners are filled with Assad's WMDs, or Iranian reinforcements.
Adam
December 22nd, 2012 at 10:20 am
Pretty much the definition of 'terrorism'. Usually defined as acts of violence against innocent people in order to obtain some sort of political, religious, or ideological goal. Except of course within the United States where anyone who tries to shoot down or blow up a civilian plane that's operated by one of the official enemies of the 2 Minute Hate is never called a terrorist.
Yonatan
December 22nd, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Assad is thinking – why is the US doing this to me? I did everything they asked, tortured on demand when they had some Islamist to frame. Why, why?