Syrian insurgents are deploying extensive supplies of anti-tank missiles provided by their foreign backers to counter ground attacks by the Syrian army and its allies, backed by heavy Russian air strikes, rebel commanders said on Tuesday.
Two rebel commanders contacted by Reuters declined to confirm whether they had received additional missiles since the Russian air strikes began, but said they had "excellent" supplies and were stationing them along a 30 km front to halt the ground offensive.
Activists however said supplies had been stepped up since the Russian air strikes began on Sept. 30.
With the Russian air support and help from Lebanon's Hezbollah and Iranian soldiers, the Syrian army is trying to drive insurgents from western areas that are crucial to President Bashar al-Assad's survival, and has recaptured a number of towns in the provinces of Hama and Latakia.