US sources: Russia deploys tanks at Latakia airfield

Russia has posted at least seven heavy T-90 tanks and an artillery unit around the Syrian airbase near Latakia which is home to incoming Russian forces, say US sources with access to intelligence. DEBKAfile earlier named the airbase as Jablah and reported landings there of giant Antonov-24 transport planes (Condors) loaded with military supplies. US sources also confirmed our report of Sept. 9 that the Russians are sending their military airlift to Syria through Iranian and Iraqi airspace, to beat Obama administration efforts to impede it by closing the skies fo NATO members.