Syrian government officials have seized major stocks of Western-made weapons and munitions, including American TOW anti-tank missiles, while conducting clean-up operations in the country’s southwestern provinces of Dara’a, Suwayda and Quneitra.
Syria’s official news agency SANA, citing an informed source speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that the weapons were found as Syrian army troops were combing formerly militant-held areas.
Among the seized weapons were heavy machineguns, submachine guns, US-made BGM-71 TOW anti-tank guided missiles, Israeli-built M72 LAW portable anti-tank rockets, landmines, rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launchers, automatic rifles, sniper rifles, hand grenades and ammunition of various calibers.
The source added that it is common for the Syrian army to confiscate large amounts of Israeli and US weapons left behind by foreign-sponsored Takfiri groups as government troops are discovering dozens of tunnels, underground weapons depots, in addition to command and control headquarters once used to attack Syrian army positions and residential neighborhoods.
Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. The Syrian government says the Israeli regime and its Western and regional allies are aiding the Takfiri terrorist groups that are wreaking havoc in the country.
The government forces have already managed to undo militant gains across the country and bring back most of Syrian soil under government control.