It wasn’t widely reported during the debate of the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), nor indeed was it mentioned in either the House or Senate versions of the bill, but the NDAA has a provision within it that would allow the US to send shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles to rebel factions in Syria.
The provision was slipped into the conference report by Rep. Ted Yoho (R – FL) during the conference to reconcile the House and Senate versions, and would allow such arms shipments so long as Congressional committees approve of the move.
Incredibly, Rep. Yoho had previously successfully put an amendment into the House version which forbade the US from sending any anti-aircraft missiles to the rebels at all. There was no amendment at all in the Senate bill, and Yoho presented the the new version as a “compromise” that would ensure Congress at least had some say on the secret weapons smuggling program.
President-elect Donald Trump is opposed to the ongoing CIA arming of Syrian rebels, and has said he expects to end the program outright when he gets into office. Until he actually does so, however, the NDAA opens the door for such shipments until Trump pro-actively does something to stop such a move.
So this “defense act” aims to defend…terrorists.
And where exactly in Syria are these “rebels” now? Any place on the map they hold? All the militants that voluntarily went go Idlib signed agreement with Government to respect permanent cease fire. If they violate it — they will be destroyed. Turkey has no patience for terrorists — it is suffering from terrorist attacks itself. Turkey was party to organizing the evacuation deal of Al-Nusra and other criminals from Aleppo, along with Syria, Iran and Russia. I do not think that Turkey is going to have much patience for any violence on its border. There are no “rebels” left to arm — unless ISIS fighters will suddenly change uniforms and become some newly named group to come and terrorize Syrian people? Obscene.
And when the war is over with Assad gone (I am assuming might be one possible result) we will have to buy these weapons back lest some new or old Syrian insurgents fire them at our planes. Such a frantic buy-back of ground-to-air rockets has happened before. In Afghanistan. From the mujaheddin who were given these weapons to fire at Soviet helicopters. Classic case of unintended consequences.
When Iran sends arms to Syria it is “Exporting Terror” when the USA sends them are they “Exporting Democracy”.
Who is suggesting the Alternitive Governmemt killing everyone will put them in power – Dr Assad geta even more popular and isn’t going anywhere, get used to it