Tuesday, July 9, 2013

U.S. Congress Delays Aid To Syrian Rebels

Free Syrian Army fighters, holding their weapons, stand during military training north of Idlib July 7, 2013. Picture taken July 7, 2013. REUTERS/Abdalghne Karoof

Exclusive: Congress Delaying U.S. Aid To Syrian Rebels - Sources -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Congressional committees are holding up a plan to send U.S. weapons to rebels fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad because of fears that such deliveries will not be decisive and the arms might end up in the hands of Islamist militants, five U.S. national security sources said.

Both the Senate and House of Representatives intelligence committees have expressed reservations behind closed doors at the effort by President Barack Obama's administration to support the insurgents by sending them military hardware.

None of the military aid that the United States announced weeks ago has arrived in Syria, according to an official from an Arab country and Syrian opposition sources.

Democrats and Republicans on the committees worry that weapons could reach factions like the Nusra Front, which is one of the most effective rebel groups but has also been labeled by the United States as a front for al Qaeda in Iraq.

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My Comment: It appears that Congress is developing a case of  cold feet when it comes to assisting the Syrian rebels.

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