Syrian military conducts military exercises
Syria’s military has begun large-scale military exercises involving missile tests and ground and air operations meant to test its readiness to respond to aggression.
The show of force appears to be designed as a warning to the international community not to interfere in the Syrian crisis.
The state-run SANA news agency says in a report July 8 the maneuvers started a day earlier with naval forces simulating a scenario to repel an attack from the sea.
It says the exercises were attended by Defense Minister Dawood Rajiha and will last for several days.
Some in the Syrian opposition have appealed to the international community to intervene in the country’s crisis, which they say has killed more than 14,000 people.
The West has shown little appetite for military intervention in Syria. AP
Russia halts arms shipments to Syria
A senior Russian official says that Moscow is halting its weapons sales to Syrian authorities until the situation there calms down.
Vyacheslav Dzirkaln, deputy chief of the Russian military and technical cooperation agency, told Russian news agencies on the sidelines of the Farnborough airshow south-west off London that Russia is not going to sign any new arms deals with Syria or send any more weapons.
He said that so far Russia has been providing Syria’s army with spare parts and assistance in repairs of the weapons supplied earlier.
Syrian activists say that about 14,000 people have been killed in an uprising in the country since March 2011.
Dzirkaln said that Russia does not sell helicopters or fighter planes to Syria. AP
Aerospace company to open plant in Oklahoma
State Officials say a Belgian aerospace company will open a plant in Stillwater, Okla., creating 250 jobs by 2014.
Gov. Mary Fallin made the announcement July 9 as she attends the Farnborough International Air Show in the United Kingdom. ASCO Inc. will build in the former MerCruiser manufacturing facility on Perkins Road in Stillwater.
Officials say the company will initially invest $60 million and employ 250 people by 2014. The second phase of development would bring an additional $30 million to $40 million in capital investment and another 350 jobs by 2015.
ASCO chief executive officer Christian Boas says Oklahoma was the best fit for his company because of its central location and existing aerospace industry.
The company designs and makes aircraft components and assemblies for Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer commercial jets. AP
