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May 8, 2015

U.S. Begins Training Program for Syrian Rebels 
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The U.S. has begun training Syrian rebel fighters as part of a program
aimed at confronting the self-proclaimed Islamic State. A group of
around 90 rebels are training at a base in Jordan, to be followed by
similar efforts in Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Defense Secretary Ash
Carter announced the move.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter: "We're announcing today that combat
training has begun for a company-sized group from the new Syrian forces.
This program is critical and a complex part of our counter-ISIL (Islamic
State) efforts. We expect a second group to begin training in the next
few weeks. They are being trained and equipped to fight ISIL (Islamic
State). That is the purpose, and that is the basis upon which they're
being vetted and trained."

 

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