US intelligence agencies have identified three Russian amphibious warships in the eastern Mediterranean that are believed to be carrying weapons shipments that might be used to resupply the Syrian government

US intelligence agencies have identified three Russian amphibious warships in the eastern Mediterranean that are believed to be carrying weapons shipments that might be used to resupply the Syrian government, CNN quoted a Pentagon official as saying.

CNN reported Thursday that the US has been tracking the ships since they left Russian ports several days ago. US satellites were able to see some indications of containers being loaded onto the ships.

Although it's not confirmed, it's believed the ships may be carrying some components of the controversial Russian S-300 air defense missile system and other weapons for the regime, the report said.

According to the CNN report, the US has been pressing the Russians for weeks to not deliver the S-300 system to Syria. The US believes it would give the Syrian government a much greater ability to target US, Israeli, NATO or other aircraft that may try to strike targets on the ground in the future.

The official told CNN the US did not see any military helicopters being loaded; it is believed the Syrians want to add the helicopters to their inventories.

CNN further revealed that several sensitive military assets are in the region this month as well. In the next two weeks, the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower will also be in the region on a scheduled rotation as it returns to its home port on the East Coast.