Assad to hand over Russian missile defence system to Hezbollah via Wagner Group

The US has intelligence information that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has agreed to provide the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah with a Russian-made air defence system.

Source: CNN with reference to its sources

Details: The Wagner Group operating in Syria has been tasked with the delivery of the SA-22 (Pantsir) anti-aircraft missile system.

It is unclear whether it has already been delivered or is only planned. According to sources, Russia initially provided the system for use by the Syrian government.

The US is monitoring the movements of the Pantsir system. 

Another source said that the US assessment is partly based on intelligence data obtained from discussions between Assad, the Wagner Group and Hezbollah regarding the delivery of the system.

Background: The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that the Wagner Group could provide the system to Hezbollah. There was no mention of Assad's role.

Wagner Group and Hezbollah militants have operated for years in Syria against the Syrian opposition, where they have cooperated with Russian and Syrian forces to strengthen the Assad regime. Hezbollah has begun to withdraw its soldiers in recent years, but the group is also backed by Iran, which is a close ally of Assad. 

A third source familiar with Western intelligence information said there is evidence of increased cooperation between Hezbollah and the Wagner Group in Syria.

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