President Obama To Authorize U.S. Military Training Of Syrian Rebels

Syrian Rebels Describe U.S.-Backed Training in Qatar -- Frontline

WASHINGTON — With reports indicating that forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad are gaining ground in that country’s brutal civil war, moderate Syrian rebels have told a visiting journalist that the United States is arranging their training in Qatar.

In a documentary to be aired Tuesday night, the rebels describe their clandestine journey from the Syrian battlefield to meet with their American handlers in Turkey and then travel on to Qatar, where they say they received training in the use of sophisticated weapons and fighting techniques, including, one rebel said, “how to finish off soldiers still alive after an ambush.”

The interviews are the latest evidence that after more than three years of warfare, the United States has stepped up the provision of lethal aid to the rebels. In recent months, at least five rebel units have posted videos showing their members firing U.S.-made TOW anti-tank missiles at Syrian positions. The weapons are believed to have come from Saudi Arabia, but experts on international arms transfers have told McClatchy that they could not have been given to the rebels without the approval of the Obama administration.

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More News On Reports That President Obama Is About To Authorize U.S. Military Training Of Syrian Rebels

Obama Close to Authorizing Military Training of Syrian Rebels -- WSJ
US nears decision on training Syrian rebels -- AP
U.S. closer to expanding training for Syrian rebels -- CNN
Obama to authorize training of Syrian rebels -- Global Post/AFP
Obama expected to announce training for moderate Syrian rebels -- CBS
US trains Syrian rebels in Qatar to ‘ambush' soldiers and 'finish off' the wounded – report -- RT
Obama about-turns on Syria: US military training and weapons for moderate Syrian rebels -- Debka
U.S.-Saudi relations still strained by Syria -- Washington Post