The US-backed militia based in Syria expressed hope that it will be able to get US-made handheld anti-aircraft weaponry, or MANPADS.

The Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, which claims to be fighting the ISIL Takfiri group, expressed hope that a decision by the US to ease weapons restrictions will allow them to acquire MANPADS.

This statement comes despite the fact that ISIL, which is said to be SDF’s allegedly primary target, has no warplanes. Additionally, neither Syrian nor Russian warplanes have targeted the ranks of the SDF.

“Currently there are no planes targeting us but in the future they might, and on this basis we are asking for them,” said SDF spokesman Talal Silo.

Silo declined to specify who might use air power against the SDF. The choice is limited, as only Syria, Russia, and the US-led coalition are using aircraft in Syria.

The SDF claims to be a separate entity from the so-called moderate opposition who fight Syrian government forces. Neither Syria or Russia has bombed SDF, which is an alliance of various armed groups dominated by the Kurdish YPG militia, which itself has avoided conflict with Syrian forces.

Source: Agencies