Oxfam names Syria, Iran as major arms embargo violators

WASHINGTON (JTA) — A new report by Oxfam International names Iran and Syria as major violators of arms embargoes over the last decade.

Overall, the report indicates that more than $2.2 billion in arms and ammunition has since 2000 been imported to countries under arms embargoes. 

According to the figures, Syria imported $167 million worth of air defense systems and missiles and $1 million worth of small arms in 2010 in violation of arms embargoes on the country.  Some of these weapons have played a role in the Assad regime’s crackdown on Syrian protesters. 

In addition, the report found that Iran traded $574 million in arms from 2007-2010. 

The report, “The Devil is in the Detail,” was released Thursday by the humanitarian agency.

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