U.S. Uses Air Power to Support Beleaguered Syrian Allies

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The United States on Monday said it has used air power in Syria in defense of allied rebel groups, signaling deeper involvement in the country's brutal four-year civil war.

The Pentagon confirmed that an air strike was carried out Friday in support of the New Syria Force, a U.S.-allied group. 

"We'll take action to defend the New Syria Force that we've trained and equipped," Pentagon spokesman Commander Bill Urban told Agence France Presse.  

He said "last Friday was the first one," referring to the air strike.

Earlier, a senior administration official said the United States had hit al-Qaida's Syrian affiliate the Al-Nusra Front in response to attack on U.S. trained rebels.

President Barack Obama's administration said Monday it was prepared to take "additional steps" to defend U.S.-trained and equipped forces, warning Bashar al-Assad's regime "not to interfere."

"The president approved this recently upon the recommendation of his senior military advisers," a senior administration official told AFP.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Assad's regime had not so far hampered U.S.-backed forces, but he nonetheless raised the possibility of strikes against it should the need arise.

The United States, Earnest said, was "committed to using military force where necessary to protect the coalition-trained and equipped Syrian opposition fighters."

The decision was taken under a 2001 rule authorizing the use of military force against terror groups, which critics say has already been stretched too far.

Officials argue that authority includes the ability to provide "defensive fire support."

The United States has trained and equipped a number of fighters -- screened and determined to be "moderate" -- to operate against the jihadist Islamic State organization.

But U.S.-backed forces have yet to play a major role in turning the war and its fledgling local ground force has already suffered a series of reversals.

A 54-strong unit inserted into the rebels' Division 30 has come under withering attack from the Al-Nusra Front, with several members reportedly killed or captured.

Micah Zenko of the Council on Foreign Relations said the "truly significant decision" could potentially extend well beyond that small force.

U.S. forces are "interspersed among large coherent units of several hundred fighters," he said, explaining that: "You can't give air cover just to individual rebels."

 

- Turkey cooperation - 

The United States recently agreed with Turkey to create what has been termed an "Islamic State-free zone" in northern Syria.

Details of the zone "remain to be worked out", according to a senior administration official, who asked not to be named.

It would, however, entail Turkey, NATO'S only mainly Muslim member, supporting U.S. "partners on the ground" already fighting the jihadists.

Ankara has also granted the United States permission to use one of its bases to carry out air raids against the group.

Washington has long pushed for the use of the Incirlik base due to its location relatively close to Syria just outside the Turkish city of Adana, but Turkey had hesitated for months.

Monday's announcement comes as diplomatic efforts to halt the carnage in Syria resume.

An estimated 140,000 people have died in the conflict, which began as an uprising against the Assad regime but has morphed into a multipronged religious and ethnic civil war.

A UN envoy recently presented his plan to resuscitate failed talks and foreign ministers from the United States, Russia and Saudi Arabia held talks in Qatar on Monday.

The trio agreed to the "need for a meaningful political transition" according to State Department spokesman Mark Toner.

But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov later condemned Washington's move toward a more robust involvement in Syria.

"We believe it's counterproductive to announce publicly that some U.S.-trained armed groups... will be under the protection of the coalition's air forces," Lavrov said.

Separately on Monday, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on seven entities and four individuals its says are providing energy products to Assad's regime, and named seven vessels as blocked property.

Comments 7
Thumb westernlebanese 04 August 2015, 09:26

@Souther people like you are the problem of this world. you are closed minded and brain washed.. go back to school and educate yourself!

Thumb Mystic 04 August 2015, 10:14

Seems like the U.S have lost all alternative options.
It's either ISIS or Al Qaeda, they have a difficult time choosing.

Thumb Mystic 04 August 2015, 18:59

Nice try texas, just like the 15.000 Pro Western FSA warriors, you promised us to take down Assad?

Dream on old friend texas, not even the U.S can control Al Qaeda any longer, they simply want to draw a line in the sand.

If the U.S were so serious about destroying ISIS, they would have done it a long time ago, they have the means to do it.
But aslong as ISIS and Al Qaeda never touches Israel, then they are fine with the chaos in the Middle East.

Missing helicopter 04 August 2015, 19:09

Mystic,
Lets translate your theory from ISIS to HA ..... lets quote you with couple of modifications:
"If the U.S were so serious about destroying HA, they would have done it a long time ago, they have the means to do it".
"But as long as HA is more of a threat to Lebanon and to the anti-Israel camp than it is to Israel, then they are fine with such scenario.

Missing helicopter 04 August 2015, 19:11

ngjoh,
were you fighting alongside the Palestenians and Syrians against you fellow Lebanese during the civil war? Qawmi anti-Lebanese you.

Missing helicopter 04 August 2015, 19:13

I am not sure if they are going to change the name of Qaeda organization in Syria, but I know for sure you are brain dead.

Thumb Mystic 04 August 2015, 19:36

Now texas, that is a very nice twist.
Except for the fact, that the Resistance attacked Israel many times and their IDF soldiers too.
Whereas ISIS never fired a short at Israel ever and neither did Al Qaeda.
Which leaves me to this question, wasen't it you that told me IDF and U.S Marines would kick the Resistance (axx) in Syria?
So why are you suddenly trying to appear anti zionist, when all facts on the ground proves you are a Pro Wahabi-zionist.