Arab states with support of Turkish warplanes U.S. logistic ready for no-fly zone in Syria 2511113

Defense News - Syria

Turkish warplanes with US logistical backing are reportedly set to implement the no-fly zone once the Arab League issues a decree calling for the protection of Syrian civilians in accordance with its charter.

Senior European sources told Kuwait's al-Rai daily that the plan is designed to cripple the country’s military forces “in less than 24 hours.” The no-fly zone would include a ban on the movement of Syrian military vehicles including tanks, personnel carriers and artillery, Albawaba news reports. The scheme is designed to neutralize Syria’s ability to carry out air strikes on cities.

The Syrian opposition has long called for a no fly zone, though NATO has thus far ruled out any such measure.

The 22-member Arab League recently suspended Syria in response to its violent crackdown on an eight-month-old uprising gripping the country. While the United Nations estimates that some 3,500 civilians have died in the conflict, Damascus counters that 1,100 members of the security forces have been killed by “foreign-backed terrorist groups.”

Rumors about imposing a no-fly zone over Syria come in the wake of Tuesday’s United Nations General Assembly resolution which condemned human rights abuses by the Syrian regime, including the killing, arbitrary imprisonment and torture of civilians. The non-binding resolution calls on Syria to withdraw government tanks from the streets, release political prisoners, end attacks on civilians and allow observers into the country.