US aid to Syrian jihadists

US to give $130m in military aid to Syria opposition: US official

The United States is set to give the militants fighting against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad up to USD 130 million in military supplies, officials say

Press TV,

21 April, 2013

A senior US State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Saturday that the US Secretary of State John Kerry will elaborate on the details of the US aid to Syria opposition during the meeting of the so-called Friends of Syria group in the Turkish city of Istanbul.

The meeting will take place later in the day and the leading members of the so-called Friends of Syria group including the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar will attend the gathering.

The official also added that the military supplies include body armor, armored vehicles, night vision goggles and advanced communication equipment.

On Thursday, Kerry said the US would continue to aid the militants trying to overthrow the Syrian government, adding “We are working very, very closely with the Syrian opposition.”

Earlier this month, White House spokesman Jay Carney said in a briefing that Washington has provided over USD 115 million in nonlethal assistance to Syria opposition so far.

However, media reports have indicated that the US trains the foreign-sponsored militants in the crisis-hit country, in addition to coordinating arms shipments to them.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 and many people, including large numbers of army and security personnel, have been killed in the violence.

The Syrian government says the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants fighting in the country are foreign nationals.

US increases support for foreign-backed militants in Syria: Kerry
US Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States has boosted its support for the foreign-backed militants in Syria.

Press TV,

21 April, 2013

Kerry made the remarks at a press conference held at the end of the so-called Friends of Syria conference in Istanbul, Turkey, on Sunday, saying the US would continue to provide assistance to the militants in Syria.

He said the US government decided to provide the militants in Syria with what he called a non-lethal package.

“For the last several months, we have steadily increased our non-lethal assistance to more than 127 million dollars,” Kerry said.

The new package, which would provide an additional $123 million aid to the militants, brings the total of US help to $250 million.

Media reports have indicated that the US trains the foreign-sponsored militants in the crisis-hit country, in addition to coordinating arms shipments to them.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011. Many people, including large numbers of Syrian army and security personnel, have been killed in the violence.

The Syrian government says that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants are foreign nationals.

Damascus says the West and its regional allies including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are supporting the militants.