We will arm Syrian rebels out of our southern base in Jordan:
The U.S. government is finalizing a plan to increase training and small-arms shipments for Syrian rebels, two U.S. security sources said on Friday, as Syrian government troops gain momentum following the collapse of U.S.-backed peace talks.
The United States would increase assistance and send the shipments to moderate rebel factions mostly based in Jordan, along Syria's southern border, the officials familiar with the plan told Reuters.
The additional supplies are likely to be modest and will not include surface-to-air missiles[.]
Even if our help is not large, I assume Saudi-led efforts will be more significant.
And I have no problem with not sending anti-aircraft missiles. That is too risky and the rebels can get by without them.
Syrian air power isn't that impressive, really. And if armed with rockets, recoil-less rifles, and mortars, the rebels can strike at airfields. Heavy machine guns can be used against helicopters and to keep aircraft from flying too low.
And heavy weapons can help the rebels take Assad airfields or put them under siege. Rebel boots on airfields is the ultimate air defense.
