Syria's regime army on Wednesday displayed a huge cache of what it said were powerful explosives left behind by rebels in Daraa province, the birthplace of the uprising that sparked the country's civil war.
During a government-organised trip for journalists to the area, an AFP correspondent saw thousands of sealed containers wrapped in dirt-covered sheaths.
A source who asked not to be named said they contained C-4, a highly explosive chemical.
He estimated that around eight tonnes of explosives had been recovered.
"The destructive force of one kilogram of this material is equivalent to 13 kilograms of TNT," he told the correspondent during the visit, as Syrian soldiers watched on.
He said rebels used to "stuff C-4 into rockets" and then launch them towards government-held areas.
"Each rocket used to destroy an entire building because of the potency of this chemical, which was also used to rig cars, vehicles and armoured vehicles that targeted positions and checkpoints of the Syrian Arab Army," he said.
The source said the explosives had entered Syria through "neighbouring countries", without specifying which ones.
"These explosives are very, very expensive. Usually, they are delivered exclusively to armies," he said.
He said rebel fighters had buried the explosives in "underground warehouses" before surrendering the area to the Syrian government.
Syrians took up arms after a deadly crackdown by regime forces on anti-government protests that began in Daraa province in March 2011.
The fighting exploded into an all-out war that has killed an estimated 360,000 people, forced millions to flee their homes and drawn in world powers.
With the help of regime ally Russia, government forces recaptured southern Syria from rebels in July last year.
In a report published on Monday, the International Crisis Group said the Syrian government has "committed insufficient resources to the south?s restabilisation, restricted humanitarian access and re-established authoritarian rule" since retaking the area.
"As a result, security and living conditions remain precarious, militating against safe refugee returns," the Brussels-based think-tank said.
AFP
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