U.S. To Expand Covert Aid To Syria's Rebels Including Shipping Anti-Aircraft Missiles

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) and U.S. President Barack Obama are greeted upon their arrival in Marine One for a meeting with Saudi King Abdullah at Rawdat al-Khraim (Desert Camp) near Riyadh. Credit: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Obama Ready To Expand Covert Aid To Syrian Opposition - Report -- Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is ready to step up covert aid to Syrian rebels under a plan being discussed with regional allies including Saudi Arabia, according to a Washington Post report.

The plan includes CIA training of about 600 Syrian opposition forces per month in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar, foreign affairs columnist David Ignatius wrote on Thursday. That would double the forces currently being trained in the region.

The Obama administration was debating whether to use U.S. Special Operation forces and other military personnel in the training, something Syrian rebels have argued would carry less political baggage than the CIA, according to the column.

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More News On Reports That The U.S. is About To Expand Covert Aid To Syria's Rebels Including Shipping Anti-Aircraft Missiles

Obama may allow air defense help for Syria rebels -- AP
US may allow air defence help for Syria opposition -- Khaleej Times/Agencies
Obama appears ready to expand covert assistance to Syrian opposition -- David Ignatius, Washington Post

My Comment: This is a major escalation  U.S. involvement in the Syrian civil war. If true .... expect blow-back from Syria's allies .... Hezbollah, Iran, and Russia.