Report: Pentagon Is Weighing The Use Of Force To Protect U.S. Backed Syrian Rebels From Russian Air Strikes

Stringer/Reuters

Dan Lamonthe, Washington Post: Will the Pentagon defend U.S.-backed rebels against Russian airstrikes? It won’t say

After a second day of Russian airstrikes in Syria on Thursday, a question still hangs in the air: Will the United States defend rebel groups in Syria against Moscow’s military?

The issue drew attention after Sen. John McCain (R.-Ariz.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on CNN that he could “absolutely confirm” that Russian airstrikes hit Western-backed groups such as the Free Syrian Army. He said they have been “armed and trained by the CIA,” and that “we have communications with people there.”

Russia acknowledged Thursday that some of their airstrikes have not been aimed at the Islamic State militant group, adding a new complication to the chaotic situation in Syria. But Moscow continued to insist that it is not trying to strike Syrian fighters who have organized against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, despite many of its strikes not occurring in areas known to be Islamic State strongholds.

WNU editor: If I start reading reports of U.S. planes shooting down Russian planes in Syria .... I am going to drop everything and head to my little chalet in the woods in the Laurenians of Quebec .... and I will continue to blog until the nuclear missiles knock everything out. And when everything is rebuilt .... years later .... this blog will return.;

More News On Reports That Pentagon is Weighing Using Force To Protect U.S. Backed Syrian Rebels

Pentagon weighs using force to protect US-backed Syria rebels targeted by Russia -- FOX News
U.S. seen unlikely to defend Syrian rebels from Russian strikes -- Reuters
Pentagon Weighing Use of Military Force to Protect U.S.-Trained Syrian Rebels If They’ve Come Under Fire by Russia -- AP
U.S. Admits: We Can’t Protect Syrian Allies From Russia’s Bombs -- Daily Beast

Update: The U.S. and allies are now issuing their demands .... U.S., allies demand Russia halt Syria strikes outside IS areas (Reuters).