Syria test-fires Scud B, other missiles - but betrays its fears

From UPI:

Syria test-fired at least one Scud B missile and other missiles "with accuracy" near the Iraqi border, officials said.

State television released footage of the tests, which SANA, the country's official news agency, said were aimed at proving the military's capability "to defend the homeland."

The test-firings "all achieved their goal with accuracy," the report said.

Israeli television reports said Scud B missiles have a range of about 190 miles. The reports said other surface-to-surface missiles, with a range of up to 124 miles, were also fired in the tests.

The WaPo adds:

[T]he combination of missile tests as well as air and ground troops indicate the maneuvers were of a higher-level than the military’s usual annual war games.

A telling detail comes at the end of official Syrian news agency SANA's report on the exercises:

Gen. Rajiha stressed that the armed forces, under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad, will remain loyal to the homeland and will defend the interests of the Syrian people.

An unprompted assertion like that would never be stated by a nation confident in its own armed forces.

Syria's leadership is very nervous.

(h/t Yoel)