BICOM

Speaking at yesterday’s Friends of Syria conference in Rome, US Secretary of State John Kerry said that the United States would provide aid directly to armed opposition groups in Syria.

The US has already given significant aid to Syria’s political opposition, but Kerry’s announcement yesterday marks the first time that the US has directly aided the country’s armed opposition. Outlining an additional £40million in assistance and direct supply of food and medical supplies to selected armed groups in Syria, Kerry said “No nation, no people should live in fear of their so-called leaders… The United States’ decision to take further steps now is the result of the brutality of superior armed force propped up by foreign fighters from Iran and Hezbollah.” It is understood that aid will be delivered to opposition forces through their military council, to carefully vetted groups, with the US eager that support does not reach extremist Islamist opposition groups.

However, the aid announced by Kerry disappointed leading members of the Syrian opposition, who have requested military support from the international community. Mohammad Sarmini, a spokesman for the Syrian National Council, the largest opposition faction said “Nothing has changed, the US position of no arming is crystal clear.” It is thought that Foreign Secretary William Hague is keen to use a recent modification of European Union sanctions to send non-lethal military equipment such as night-vision and communications equipment to Syrian opposition forces. The Telegraph suggests that an announcement on this could be made next week.

Meanwhile, the Times this morning claims that the US and European allies are overseeing basic military training for Syrian opposition forces in neighbouring Jordan, including help seizing chemical weapons plants, reflecting Western fears that Syria’s large chemical stockpile could fall into dangerous hands.