Syrian or Israeli-made? Drone in Homs

Syrian-made drones spy on rebel strongholds

Unmanned aircraft found in Homs warehouses or seen hovering over Turkish territory led to claims that Israel was aiding anti-Assad fighters, but Ynet learns drones apparently manufactured by regime in Damascus

Ron Ben-Yishai|Published: 03.07.12 , 19:32

Israel was accused recently of transferring drones and weapons to rebels in Syria, and Turkey has claimed that Israeli aircraft entered its airspace. But Western intelligence sources dismissed these claims, and Ynet has learned that the said drones are apparently Syrian-made.

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Ynet has learned that Syria's military industry manufactures drones that are technologically identical to those produced by its ally Iran. The drones are manufactured at Syria's Scientific Research Center, where rockets and advanced missiles are also manufactured.

The Syrian army also operates Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles, including the Ababil, which can carry explosives. The Ababil drone is also used by the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah.

The Syrian army apparently uses the drones to gather information on activities within areas that are controlled by rebels fighting against Bashar Assad's forces.

Rebels told foreign news agencies that they have downed a number of these drones. Some of the drones were recovered in Homs after Assad's forces forced rebels to withdraw from the war-torn city. These drones are apparently the ones Syria is now presenting as "proof" that Israel is aiding the rebels.

The Syrian Observatory of Human Rights said Wednesday that nearly 8,500 people, mostly civilians, were killed in violence since the beginning of the revolt in Syria in March 2011.

The victims included 6,195 civilians and 2,263 soldiers and members of security services, including 428 deserters who joined the rebels, a total of 8,458 deaths, the group said.