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Syria fires ballistic missile at rebels, Nato says | Syria fires ballistic missile at rebels, Nato says |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Syrian military has fired a ballistic missile towards cities in the north, Nato says, making it the third such launch in recent days. | The Syrian military has fired a ballistic missile towards cities in the north, Nato says, making it the third such launch in recent days. |
A spokeswoman told the BBC the missiles were unguided and had been fired in the direction of Aleppo and Idlib. | |
The Syrian government has denied using the missiles. | The Syrian government has denied using the missiles. |
Last month, Nato approved the deployment of Patriot anti-missile batteries along Turkey's border with Syria. | Last month, Nato approved the deployment of Patriot anti-missile batteries along Turkey's border with Syria. |
A Nato spokeswoman said they had detected the launch of a ballistic missile inside Syria on Wednesday, following similar launches last week. | A Nato spokeswoman said they had detected the launch of a ballistic missile inside Syria on Wednesday, following similar launches last week. |
The targets appeared to be key road junctions and former government bases overrun by rebels, other Nato sources said. | |
Scuds are in the Syrian military's armoury, but Nato could not confirm the type of missile used. | |
The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says that, for Nato, the move will underscore the importance of using Patriots to defend Turkish airspace. | The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says that, for Nato, the move will underscore the importance of using Patriots to defend Turkish airspace. |
US batteries could be operational within the next few days, but Dutch and German batteries may not be in place for some weeks. | US batteries could be operational within the next few days, but Dutch and German batteries may not be in place for some weeks. |
Last month, Nato condemned the use of ballistic missiles saying it showed "utter disregard" for the Syrian people. | Last month, Nato condemned the use of ballistic missiles saying it showed "utter disregard" for the Syrian people. |
Rebel forces have gained control of swathes of northern Syria in recent months and Aleppo is largely under rebel control. | Rebel forces have gained control of swathes of northern Syria in recent months and Aleppo is largely under rebel control. |
The UN estimates that more than 60,000 people have been killed in the Syrian uprising, which began in March 2011. | The UN estimates that more than 60,000 people have been killed in the Syrian uprising, which began in March 2011. |