Gen. Salim Idriss, the head of the rebel Free Syrian Army’s (FSA) “Supreme Military Command,” has been endorsed repeatedly by Western officials, and is constantly courting more weapons, more money, and more supplies for the rebellion.
Yet Idriss admits that nearly a year after he defected the rebels remain badly fragmented, a problem he blames on the number of civilian-turned-fighter groups. He also conceded that as it stands the force lacks the skill to actually win the ongoing civil war.
US aid has been focused through Idriss’ group, and in April the $123 million aid announcement made by Secretary of State John Kerry came in the form of supplies straight to his command.
Yet as Islamists gain power in the rebellion, Idriss admits he has little influence over a lot of the rebel fighters on the ground, and only indirect control over even some of the brigades operating under the FSA label.
Idriss insists he does not, and will not, work with Jabhat al-Nusra, a large militant faction openly allied with al-Qaeda. Officials have presented that as a reason to endorse his group as a moderate alternative, but as the war stagnates, his limited influence leaves open the question of whether the aid is simply about grandstanding about regime change as opposed to backing real Syrian rebel leaders.
Framework of proxy, and later, contra war defined perfectly… A majority of Americans say that want the US to stay out of Syria. Clearly, Obama and Kerry are right in the thick of it. Seems like a contradiction that needs to be brought to the public attention of America. Obama should not be able to have his cake and eat it too.
There is no "rebels", there is no army but bunch of fragmented mercenaries from Europe to Saudi Arabia, the Wahhabis, the barbarians and salafis.., half of these people are on the CIA payroll the other half getting paid by the hour and amount of people they beheading.., these barbarians are from Qatar and Saudi Arabia while Turkish sectarian regime provide them with free airline tickets to Istanbul and then to Syria.., we said that from day one.., this is a proxy war.., planed and orchestrated by Hillary Clinton with a blessing from Saudis, Turkish, French, Swedish, English and Obama.., they all know that is lost.., they all know that they are war criminals.., there is enough evidence to prosecute each and every one of them.., but you need to have man or a women that is not on the payroll of USA or the European government to start the process. These people did and come up with all kind of deceptive, immoral ideas to invade Syria…., but Syrian people stood by their government to see the victory they deserve. Once again.., the western civilization have defeated itself.
It is SHAMEFUL that call the CIA terrorist pawns "rebels". This is US government front website.
I am not a general but it appears that the rebels are now losing and losing badly. To me that is why Israel would openly send its jets to attack. When Israel attacked and try to murder the entyire crew of the USS Liberty that at leat painted the markinga on the jets. The question then was why would rhey over paint the markinga on the jets that killed and injuried so many if it was an accident? Today the question is why would Israel attack the "shipment" so close to the capital if they were were going after rockets. Open spaces before and aftet the capital would appear to be the besty place to attack and why at night since no one is capatil of shoting down the advanced jets given to Israel by the USA? But it is Israel and question will be answert with a "anti semeitic" rant
It looks to me like the so-called rebels are finished. The ziowest is in the uncomfortable position of backing the losing side, a side which may also be guilty of the use of chemical weapons ie WMD, that most heinous of crimes in their eyes. Or else they could get down to genuine peace talks involving Assad and his opponents and thre Russians.