Syrians moved some chemical weapons to boost security: Panetta

Syrians have moved some of their chemical weapons capability to better secure it, but the country’s main chemical weapons sites remain intact and secure under government control, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said on Friday, citing U.S. intelligence.

“There has been some intelligence that with regards to some of these sites that there has been some movement in order for the Syrians to better secure ... the chemicals,” Panetta told a Pentagon news conference with his Canadian counterpart, according to Reuters. “So while there’s been some limited movement, again the major sites still remain in place, still remain secure.”

“We still believe, based on what we know and what we’re monitoring, that the principal sites remain secure,” he said.

Asked if rebel forces had gotten their hands on some chemical stockpiles, Panetta said: “I don’t have any specific information about the opposition and whether or not they’ve obtained some of this or how much they've maintained,” according to AFP.

Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile, which dates back to the 1970s, is the largest in the Middle East, but its precise scope remains unclear, according to analysts.

The regime has said it might use its chemical weapons if attacked by outside countries, although not against its own people.

Last month French President Francois Hollande warned that the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime would provide a legitimate cause for a foreign intervention.

The German magazine Der Spiegel reported Monday that the Syrian army has tested a chemical weapons delivery system, firing shells at a research center in its northwestern desert region.

Citing “witnesses,” the magazine said five to six empty shells designed for chemical agents were fired by tanks and aircraft at Diraiham in the desert, at the Safira research center -- the country’s largest testing site for chemical weapons.

Iranian officers, believed to be members of the Revolutionary Guards, were flown in by helicopter for the testing, according to witness statements cited by the magazine.

Panetta’s comments came as rebel forces in Syria launched a barrage of mortar fire against troops in Aleppo after announcing a “decisive” battle for the city, according to residents and a rights group.

Rebels claimed they had advanced on several fronts, particularly in the southwest, but admitted they had failed to make any significant breakthrough.