US, UK to Up Support for Opposition in Syria

Friday, 27 June 2014

US, UK to Up Support for Opposition in Syria

Local Editor

USA, UK flags

The Obama administration asked the U.S. Congress Thursday to authorize $500 million to train and equip what they claimed to be "moderate elements in the armed Syrian opposition."

“This request marks another step toward helping the Syrian people defend themselves against regime attacks, push back against the growing number of extremists like ISIL who find safe-haven in the chaos, and take their future into their own hands by enhancing security and stability at local levels,” National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said in a statement.
Hayden said that the U.S. does not believe that there is a military solution to Syria’s conflict.

"An additional $1 billion will be used to help stabilize Syria’s neighbors, including Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq, as they cope with the fallout from Syria's crisis, she added.

For its part, the U.K. supports the Syrian's opposition against the government and the ISIL terrorists, as it holds the national authority responsible for the ongoing violence in Iraq, British Foreign Secretary said on Thursday.

Foreign Secretary William Hague arrived in Baghdad on Thursday to meet political leaders to discuss the growing crisis the country faces caused by the advance of militant insurgents led by the so-called 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' (ISIL).

Hague said ISIL is carrying out similar crimes in Syria and stated that “the Assad regime bears a direct responsibility for creating the conditions in which this terrorism can thrive.”

“The message from the United Kingdom is very clear,” said Hague in a statement, “We urge all Iraq’s leaders and communities to unite.”

Hague stated that the expansion of ISIL terrorist gunmen would have enormous consequences for Iraq and its neighbors’ stability and freedom.

“We believe the single most important factor that will determine whether or not Iraq overcomes this challenge is political unity,” Hague said.

Iraqi security forces have been unable to turn back terrorists led by ISIL as they advance from the north and west of the country towards the capital Baghdad.