Two different rebel factions, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and a faction allied with the Islamic Front are claiming to have the weapons, though the US is still not officially confirming they were the direct suppliers.

Saudi Arabia has been keen to supply the rebels with more and more advanced US-made weapons, including TOW missiles and anti-aircraft missiles, though in the past US concerns about the rebels using them on civilian targets, particularly passenger airliners, have prevented such shipments.

In recent weeks the reports have said the US was less and less concerned about the shipments, preferring to see the civil war escalate at any cost, and apparently willing to deal with the inevitable backlash when the weapons start showing up in al-Qaeda’s hands.