Report: Looted Libyan Missiles End up in Hamas Anti-Aircraft Arsenal
- Posted on October 29, 2011 at 10:16pm by
Sharona Schwartz
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Beyond the commitment to Sharia law in post-Gadhafi Libya, now another unintended consequence is seen in NATO’s intervention on behalf of the rebels.
The Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz reports Hamas recently smuggled “relatively advanced Russian missiles” looted from Libyan military warehouses into Gaza, upgrading the anti-aircraft capability of the Islamist Palestinian terrorist group:
Israel is worried about the presence of the missiles, both because they curb the [Israeli] air force’s almost unlimited freedom of movement over Gaza today, and because of their possible use against civil aviation in [the southern resort] Eilat.
Shoulder-fired anti-aicraft missiles have been smuggled into Gaza in recent years at Iran’s initiative. But the fall of Muammar Gadhafi’s regime has enabled Hamas to bring in much higher quality missiles – and in much larger quantities.
Rings of smugglers utilized the riots in Libya to break into military storage facilities and steal large quantities of weapons, some of which have relatively advanced capabilities. The weapons were then sold to terrorist organizations, first and foremost to various Palestinian factions. It seems that extremist Islamist organizations in Somalia also bought large quantities of weapons.
The U.S. is deeply worried about these and other arms-on-the-loose. When Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in Libya earlier this month, she announced the allocation of $40 million to help Libya “secure and destroy dangerous stockpiles” of conventional and chemical weapons.
British officials highlight the risk to civilian aircraft. The Guardian reported last month:
British officials say they are concerned in particular about heatseeking man-portable air defence systems (Manpads), such as SA7 shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles, getting into the wrong hands. Though most military aircraft are now equipped with countermeasures, civilian planes are not. Helicopters remain vulnerable to rocket-propelled grenades, officials said.
The concern about Hamas’ improved anti-aircraft arsenal prompted Israel’s security cabinet last month to discuss equipping all of the nation’s commercial aircraft with a missile protection system. Ynet reports some El Al aircraft were equipped with the system six years ago:
Transportation Ministry spokesman Avner Ovadia said at the time that the system is similar to the one used in fighter planes, but has been adapted to be used in passenger planes.
“When missiles are fired at a plane, the system discharges flares that divert the missiles mid-flight,” he said.
A new system to protect passenger planes using laser beams has been developed by the Israeli military contractor Elbit. It detects incoming missiles and without shooting them, deflects them with lasers.
Watch this dramatic video on how the system works, replete with actors playing terrorists “firing” at the civilian plane:
A Jerusalem Post reporter recently visited the contractor to learn more about the “C-Music” system, designed for both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. The acronym stands for Commercial-Multi Spectral Infrared Countermeasure:
It works by detecting and tracking any shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missile launched at the host aircraft. When the missile gets within a certain range, C-Music fires a laser directly at the missile’s seeker, deflecting it from the plane. It has a smaller design turret for helicopters, business and special mission aircraft and a larger self-contained pod with more powerful lasers and multiple detectors commercial airliners, aerial tankers and large business aircraft.
The threat to civilian aircraft is not theoretical. In 2002, an al-Qaeda faction launched two shoulder-fired missiles at an Israeli Arkia Airlines Boeing 757 taking off from Mombasa, Kenya. The missiles missed their target, and no one was injured.
Last month, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) called on the administration to equip American wide-body passenger planes with anti-missile technology and said more than 40 civilian aircraft have been hit by surface-to-air missiles since the 1970s.
“Installing this technology on 500 wide-body planes would protect more than 2 billion passengers over the next 20 years,” she said.
It’s doubtful the price tag will be “Music” to the ears of airlines. Israeli media reports suggest each unit costs about $1.2 million and occupies the space of three passenger seats.
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Comments (87)
UrbanCombatSurvivor
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 1:36amWhy, exactly, is this asserted as an unintended consequence?
Report Post »Nota1percenter
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 1:26amWar is coming. Be ready!
Report Post »Chr1st14n
Posted on October 31, 2011 at 12:11amthe weapons will fuel Israel for 7 years whenever war begins. watch out to anyone who attempts to hit Israel….
you are simply watching the beginnings to an Ezekiel 38/39 war which kicks off the 7 year tribulation period (Jacobs troubles)
stressed out about it? no, aware of it? always. Praying about it? just thanking God He is working overtime to move His people out of position to prevent catastrophes and that He has sworn to protect the apple of His eye (Israel). Israel will never cease to be a nation, you will witness the anti christ coming against it for 3.5 years when the world fails at destroying it, but destroyed? no longer a nation? nope, it is Israel for eternity; the entire Bible was written for our day. Jesus said the generation who saw Israel become a nation and win back Jerusalem would not pass away till all be fulfilled, we are witnessing it, and those who are in Christ are redeemed from it. What a glorious day to be living in!
http://vimeo.com/user7907522/channels
Report Post »valleyfever
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 1:17amThings are ratcheting up over there another notch.
Report Post »scout n ambush
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 1:09amThe ob regime knew these ammo dumps and mpads were there from the begining and yet they wanted to make no effort to keep tabs on this stuff .If we all knew that this would happen could ob’s advisors not have, i doubt it.The word was out months ago that this stuff was being brought out remember they knew al Q were there along with the secular muslim brotherhood , iranian gaurd ,theives and al quds.So why would anybody worry about stuff being transported across thru egypt and into gaza? short answer they were not worried they knew it would be it was a done deal.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 1:49amre : they knew it would be a done deal.
Report Post »***
Considering all the muslims cair has put into high places in our government, and the high opinion and close relationship with valerie jarrett (who I understand is a muslim) one has to wonder if this entire libyan operation was not to help the muslim brotherhood take the libyan government and smuggle these weapons for use against Israel, and possibly even the US? They can say all they want that it was to aid an uprising of democracy, SHARIA IS NOT DEMOCRACY AND NEVER SHALL BE!!. If it were truly for the freedom of the people, WE WOULD HAVE SUPPORTED THE PROTESTORS IN IRAN AFTER THE RIGGED ELECTIONS RATHER THAN TURNING A DEAF EAR AND LETTING THEM BE MOWED DOWN! The same with Syria!
scout n ambush
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 2:06amThat is why they took out mubarak first and we all know ob little state dept lacky achmed maher was in egypt organizing it.Mubarak would not have let that happen the stuff would have been caught before it made it very far..
Report Post »Alfred F. Jones
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 12:27amWho isn’t surprised? I mean we knew Libya was missing this stuff. Bet ya it’ll be used to attack Israel and US forces.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 1:08amLet’s just hope NONE end up in the United States .. passenger airliners inside the U.S. would be a big score for these terrorists.
TEA!
Report Post »scout n ambush
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 1:14amGood thing they got the whole mex border thing resolved no chance in anything or one sneaking thru there huh.
Report Post »Alfred F. Jones
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 2:57amOne can only pray that America will have some good fortune and they dont use a drug cartel to attack our air planes and citizens.
Report Post »NC_Steve
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 12:19am“Last month, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) called on the administration to equip American wide-body passenger planes with anti-missile technology and said more than 40 civilian aircraft have been hit by surface-to-air missiles since the 1970s.”
That statement was news to me. So, I started doing some searches. This is going to fall into the category of the way back machine:
http://homelandsecurityus.com/archives/2499
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/archive/index.php?t-3684.html
Well, that is all I found. Nothing. So where did Senator Boxer come up with the 40 civilian aircraft being shot down since the 1970s? I don’t know. I remember this subject coming up over the years. And have read about shoot downs in fiction over the years. But…..
Report Post »RichNGadsden
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 8:26amBoxer is a long time California super left winger. Like all of the other “stats” the Democrats illustrate, they make them up. The only moderately successful shoulder fired AA missile that I am aware in that time frame would have been the U.S. Redeye with production starting in 1960 and terminating in 1969. Replaced in U.S. use between 1982 and 1995 by the Stinger. Other than those issued to Afghani fighters to use against the Russians, and those allegedly sent Iran in 1981, this makes it difficult to believe Boxer‘s stats starting in the ’70s.
Report Post »Salamander
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 8:54amBarbara Boxer must be a Muslim! The book “The spirit of Islam,” by the Muslim scholar, Afif A. Tabbarah was written to promote Islam. On page 247, Tabbarah stated: “Lying is not always bad, to be sure; there are times when telling a lie is more profitable and better for the general welfare, and for the settlement of conciliation among people, than telling the truth. To this effect, the Prophet says: ‘He is not a false person who (through lies) settles conciliation among people, supports good or says what is good.” Way to go, Barbara! Where is your integrity?
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:42pmFireworks to follow……. Thanks Obama.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:49pmDid Holder okay the sale
Report Post »restorehope
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:54pmHillary’s “generous” gift of 40 million American dollars to destroy stockpiled weapons is ludicrous…..and yet another waste of taxpayer dollars. They were unable to control the weapons in Iraq and they sure won’t be able to control them in this Muslim Brotherhood madhouse. How can she just waste a huge amount of money like that with no oversight?
Report Post »alcarfl
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 12:41amAnd a big high five for giggling Hillary, too. When is the truth going to expose this dirty duo as traitors.
Report Post »Leader1776
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 1:09amThis was the follow-on to F&F. This one is: Fast and F—ed. Yes, Holder was, yet again, the architect. Proud, just so proud.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 1:53am@restorehope
Report Post »Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:54pm
Hillary’s “generous” gift of 40 million American dollars to destroy stockpiled weapons is ludicrous…..and yet another waste of taxpayer dollars. They were unable to control the weapons in Iraq and they sure won’t be able to control them in this Muslim Brotherhood madhouse. How can she just waste a huge amount of money like that with no oversight?
***
Watch her and be amazed! After all, she has to keep up with bo!
Mattyboy
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:34pmAt least we know where the missles are doi!
Report Post »geonj
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:23pmwouldn’t the 40 million dollars hillary promised been better spent buying back the stolen armaments?
Report Post »at least we would have gotten value for OUR dollars.
gwssacredcause
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:21pmI wonder how much trouble terrorists would have getting some of these missles across our borders or in through our ports. Not a chance people entering the country illegally could carry any, that would be like smuggling in illegal drugs, never happen we’re just too secure.
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:20pmWhich wat did they go george; which way did they go
Report Post »gwssacredcause
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:29pmThanks for that. It gave me a good belly laugh!
Report Post »phillipwgirard
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:17pmOBAMA= Jelly of the month club, the gift that keeps on giving
Report Post »phillipwgirard
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:14pmThis is what happens when you have a loose canon like zerobama running the show, and thats what it is you know, a freak show! dammit!
Report Post »tartanmarine
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:13pmI don’t agree with those who think Obama planned this outcome because he wants the destruction of Israel. I think he was just too stupid to foresee it, as many of us did. I will link to this from my Old Jarhead blog
Robert A. Hall
Report Post »Author: The Coming Collapse of the American Republic
(All royalties go to a charity to help wounded veterans)
For a free PDF of the book, write tartanmarine(at)gmail.com
majorsco
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:10pmThis act can be directly traced to Obama’s limp, lead from behind policies regarding Libya. He was warned that if the war didn’t end quickly and decisively that the weapons would walk into terrorist hands. Well that’s come true. I guess this is the international version of fast and furious, though this time is should be called limp and ignorant.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:23pmObama’s foreign policy to date can be summed up by two words : ” Huh?“ and ” Duh.”
Report Post »myptofvu
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:06pmHEY HILARY…we gonna get our $40 mil back?
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:04pmWell that’s just peachy. Thanks a lot, Obama! You bumbling incompetent fool with no governing experience…
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 10:59pmThe old adage of all it takes for evil to win a victory is for a good person to stand aside and not do anything to intervein; in this case, we are seeing the results of a evil plan on the behalf of our own radical POTUS to turn Libya over to the Radical Terrorists, and the sewing of more seeds across the lands of the world.
There will come a day of reckoning for his actions; and may God have mercy on him that day.
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:27pmThey still don’t mention the mustard gas…Where did it go?
Report Post »brian88
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 10:47pmGood thing God is ultimately in control because we’re not getting any help from this inept administration.
Report Post »stockpicker
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 10:39pmWho woulda guessed it. I’m shocked.
Report Post »S_Malc13
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 10:43pmFast & Furious 2.0
Report Post »fatjack
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:16pmThose missiles weren’t looted, they were supplied.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 10:34pmIsn’t the whole world tired of having to defend itself from the murderous followers of Islam?
Report Post »Teaparty-grammy
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:07pmI know that I am! I believe the only sensible response is to reduce the entire Middle East (except for Israel) to a smoking hole in the ground. I don’t think anything short of that will stop these homicidal cockroaches from trying to carry out their dreams of world conquest.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 2:01am@Teaparty-grammy
Report Post »Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:07pm
I know that I am! I believe the only sensible response is to reduce the entire Middle East (except for Israel) to a smoking hole in the ground. I don’t think anything short of that will stop these homicidal cockroaches from trying to carry out their dreams of world conquest.
***
Problem with that is, if they’re ringed by smoking holes in the ground, what does that make Israel? I‘d be afraind it’d be like the hole from the doughnut. It’s cut out of the dough that holds the earth toghether.
lukerw
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 10:32pmIf the Obama Crew can do this to their friends in Muslim Nations… just imagine what they will do in America!
Report Post »SLARTIBARTFAST
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 10:32pmThe first civilian aircraft knocked down by one of the MANPADS is on BHO’s head. And all the following ones as well.
Report Post »Teaparty-grammy
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 10:28pmBoy, that Arab Spring is just the gift that keeps on giving, isn’t it? Obama should be proud!
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 2:08amre : obama should be proud.
Report Post »***
But don‘t forget hillary’s role in this. MORE FUN THAN THE BOBSEY TWINS! Beware the seeds planted in the arab spring, just may sprout up in an orchard near you!
Meyvn
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 10:26pmOh. You mean bottle rockets?
Report Post »