Iran has launched a training program to instruct Palestinian militants in the
use of shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles.
Western intelligence sources said the training is taking place in
Lebanon and is being conducted for Palestinian allies of the Iranian-backed Hizbullah.
The sources said members of the Popular Front for the
Liberation of Palestine-General Command as well as Hamas and Fatah members are being instructed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in the use of SA-7 surface-to-air missiles. The program is seen as the prelude to a campaign to shoot down Israeli combat aircraft, Middle East Newsline reported.
The sources said Israeli and U.S. intelligence agencies have determined
that the training is the first step toward the Iranian supply of
anti-aircraft missiles to the Palestinians. They said supporters of
Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat have also received training.
The Berlin-based Die Welt daily said the training has been conducted in
the Bekaa Valley near the Syrian border. The newspaper said at least 20
Palestinians are being trained in a course headed by Iranian Revolutionary
Guard Corps Brig. Gen. Ali Reza Tamizr.
