Trump Ends CIA Arms Support For Anti-Assad Syria Rebels

[WhiteTara]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-ends-cia-arms-supply-syrian-rebels_us_597091fae4b0aa14ea77c477?dca&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

WASHINGTON, July 19 (Reuters) - The Trump administration has decided to halt the CIA’s covert program to equip and train certain rebel groups fighting the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, two U.S. officials said, a move sought by Assad ally Russia.

The U.S. decision, said one of the officials, is part of an effort by the administration to improve relations with Russia, which along with Iranian-supported groups has largely succeeded in preserving Assad’s government in the six-year-civil war.

The CIA program began in 2013 as part of efforts by the administration of then-President Barack Obama to overthrow Assad, but produced little success, said the officials, both of whom are familiar with the program and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The Washington Post was first to report the program’s suspension on Wednesday. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders declined to comment on the topic at the White House briefing.

The CIA also declined to comment.

[Achilleaze]

1. Precisely as Putin told him* to do

* republican Draft-Dodger-in-Chief