US doubles aid to Syrian rebels
The US said today that it will double its assistance to Syria’s opposition as the rebels vowed to step up their two-year battle to oust President Bashar Assad’s regime.
But the pledge fell far short of what the opposition had wanted – weapons and direct military intervention to stop the violence that has killed more than 70,000 people.
The Syrian National Coalition had sought drone strikes on sites from which the regime has fired missiles, the imposition of no-fly zones and protected humanitarian corridors to ensure the safety of civilians.
Instead, the Obama administration pledged to provide an additional 123 million dollars (£81 million) in aid.
It may include for the first time armoured vehicles, body armour, night vision goggles and other defensive military supplies.
It was the only tangible, public offer of new international support as the foreign ministers of the 11 main countries supporting the opposition met in a marathon session in Istanbul.
US Secretary of State John Kerry announced the new package of assistance at the conclusion of the conference.
The additional aid brings total non-lethal US assistance to the opposition to 250 million dollars (£164 million) since the fighting began.
it “underscores the United States’ firm support for a political solution to the crisis in Syria and for the opposition’s advancement of an inclusive, tolerant vision for a post-Assad Syria,” Mr Kerry said.
He said some of the new money would be used to follow through on President Barack Obama’s recent authorisation to expand direct supplies to the Free Syrian Army beyond food and medical supplies to include defensive items.
Mr Kerry also announced nearly 25 million dollars (£16.4 million) in additional food assistance for Syrians who remain inside the country as well as those who have fled to neighbouring countries.
It brings the total US humanitarian contribution to the crisis to more than 409 million dollars (£268 million).
The opposition lost some ground in the latest clashes with Syrian troops backed by pro-government gunmen capturing at least one village in a strategic area near the Lebanese border.
“We appreciate the limited support given by the international community, but it is not sufficient,” it said in a statement released at the end of the conference.
“We call on the international community to be more forthcoming and unreserved to fulfil its responsibilities in extending support that is needed by the Syrian people.”
Ahead of the meeting, the opposition said it wanted guns and ammunition.
European nations are considering changes to an arms embargo that would allow weapons transfers to the Syrian opposition.
But EU action is unlikely before the current embargo is set to expire in late May.
Britain and France have been leading the calls to change the embargo to test the strategy that merely giving its members permission to supply arms may cause Assad to rethink his determination to hold on to power.
But some in the EU, notably Germany and the Netherlands, are reluctant, believing more weapons flowing into Syria will only increase the bloodshed and fearing they could fall into the hands of extremists.
The opposition pledged that any military hardware it receives will be used responsibly.
The US and its European and Arab allies are struggling to find ways to stem the escalating violence that has led to fears that chemical weapons may have been used.
The foreign ministers urged an immediate investigation by the UN to substantiate the claims.
“If these allegations are proven to be correct, there will be severe consequences,” they said in a statement.
