Russia claims the 2017 U.S. defense policy bill eases restrictions on the provision of weapons to Syrian rebels and gives the U.S. government leeway to deliver shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, Reuters reported Tuesday.
Andrew Osborn writes Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman of Russia’s foreign ministry, said Russia views the policy change in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act as a “hostile” move.
The 2017 NDAA includes a provision that prevents the Defense Department from spending funds on anti-aircraft missiles for Syrian militant groups until state and defense secretaries submit a report to Congress in support of such move, Osborn wrote.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the Obama administration opposes the delivery of anti-aircraft missiles called man-portable air defense systems to anti-government forces in Syria, the report stated.
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