New U.S.-Backed Alliance In Syria Faltering

The Sanadeed Forces are an Arab tribal militia that has allied with Kurds to fight the Islamic State. Credit Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

New York Times: New U.S.-Backed Alliance to Counter ISIS in Syria Falters

EIN EISSA, Syria — Weeks after the Obama administration canceled a failed Pentagon program to train and arm Syrian rebels to combat the Islamic State, American officials announced a new effort to equip newly named ground forces in Syria to fight the jihadists.

But 10 days of interviews and front-line visits across northern Syria with many of the forces in the alliance made clear that so far it exists in name only, and that the political and logistical challenges it faces are daunting.

One Arab commander, sitting near the earthen wall that separates this deserted town in Syria from the Islamic State’s front line, bitterly recalled being chased from his Syrian hometown by the jihadists and said he would do anything to reclaim that territory. But then he detailed a list of things his forces needed: ammunition, radios, heavy weapons and more American airstrikes.

WNU Editor: The U.S. wants the Kurds to wage war against the predominantly Arab dominated Islamic State, while I am sure the Kurds are more interested in just establishing a autonomous Kurdish zone. This U.S. policy is probably doomed to failure .... doubly so if the Arabs who are opposed to the Islamic State are not able to gain followers and recruits.