Obama: We Will Keep Backing Syrian Opposition
Source: CNN
By Jim Acosta and Eugene Scott CNN
Published 10/03 2015 11:22AM
Updated 10/03 2015 11:22AM
WASHINGTON (CNN)
President Barack Obama told his national security team this week that the U.S. will continue to support the Syrian opposition as Russia enters into the conflict, a senior administration official said Saturday.
"President Obama was clear that we intend to continue our efforts to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL in Syria and to keep supporting the moderate Syrian opposition," the official said.
The White House had multiple national security meetings this week on Syria, the official added.
But the official declined to comment on what steps are being taken to support the opposition, citing "operational security."
Read more: http://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/obama-we-will-keep-backing-syrian-opposition
brooklynite
(94,727 posts)Javaman
(62,534 posts)I know, they will just dip their wings, and nod a cheerio to each other, right?
Puzzledtraveller
(5,937 posts)while flipping them the bird.
Guy Whitey Corngood
(26,505 posts)event you say?
Puzzledtraveller
(5,937 posts)Guy Whitey Corngood
(26,505 posts)David__77
(23,503 posts)That is something I'm unclear on. My understanding is that a coalition including Nusra holds power in parts of Idlib - I wonder if this coalition is included in "moderate opposition." Or, alternatively, does the "moderate opposition" not actually hold power anywhere on the ground, outside of military base camps. It would be good, I think, to be able to point to some area where the "moderate opposition" holds power.
I mention Nusra because I have concern about the US supporting Nusra or groups that ally with Nusra. Certainly, at least, if the US is going to do so, I think the explicit rationale should be given to the public.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)Puzzledtraveller
(5,937 posts)in as much as they are nothing more than extremists.
Rafale
(291 posts)Oh great. So we are applying the same strategy that left Libya a breeding ground for Islamic State and a refugee crisis for southern Europe. We supported the opposition against Gaddafi as I recall. Our foreign policy seems insane. <smh>
Here comes another war I have to fight. Great. <smh>
MowCowWhoHow III
(2,103 posts)U.S.-backed Syrian rebels appeal for antiaircraft missiles
BEIRUT U.S.-backed rebels in Syria appealed to the Obama administration Friday for antiaircraft missiles to defend their positions against relentless Russian airstrikes that have so far mostly targeted the moderate opposition to President Bashar al-Assads rule.
A joint statement issued by the United States and other Western allies who have collectively aided moderate rebel units urged Russia to stop targeting moderate rebels and to focus its efforts on fighting ISIL, the acronym referring to the Islamic State.
U.S. officials indicated that there is no immediate plan to offer additional assistance to the rebel units that have been armed and trained under a covert CIA-led program aimed at supporting moderate groups and weakening Assads hold on power.
The covert operation is separate from a much-publicized Pentagon program to train a force to fight the Islamic State that has so far produced no more than four or five loyal fighters, and it is widely credited with having helped rebel advances over the past six months in the areas now being targeted by the Russians.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/russian-warplanes-strike-deep-inside-islamic-states-heartland/2015/10/02/ace6dfcc-6866-11e5-bdb6-6861f4521205_story.html
If we're going to make massive strategic errors, can we at least make original ones ?