U.S.-Supported Syrian ‘Rebels’ Suffer Major Setback
The best strategy this administration could conjure up to deal with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was laughably dubious. By providing weapons to “moderates” whose end-goal we knew very little about – and rumor has it some rebels have ties to terrorist organizations – the presumption among Democrats was that al-Assad would be dethroned, and peace and tranquility would soon follow. That fantasy suffered a humiliating defeat this week, as the first beneficiaries of American aid dispersed after losing ground to al-Qaida franchise Jabhat al-Nusra. Via The Washington Post: “The first Syrian rebel group to be given U.S. weapons collapsed Sunday after losing control of its headquarters to Syria’s main al-Qaeda affiliate, further complicating American-led efforts to counter the rise of extremism in Syria. … [Harakat] Hazm said in a statement circulated on social media that the movement had been dissolved ‘in an effort to halt the bloodshed’ and that surviving members would be absorbed into a new rebel coalition called the Shamiyah Front.” According to unverified reports, U.S.-provided weapons, including coveted TOW anti-tank missiles, are now in terrorists’ hands. Barack Obama isn’t entirely responsible for the Middle East implosion, but his policies have culminated into the multiple affronts we face today.
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- Syria
- Bashar al-Assad