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Syria crisis: 'Only four or five' US-trained Syrian rebels are still fighting | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A US scheme to train Syrian rebels to fight Islamic State (IS) militants has been branded a total failure after a US general admitted only four or five were still fighting. | A US scheme to train Syrian rebels to fight Islamic State (IS) militants has been branded a total failure after a US general admitted only four or five were still fighting. |
Congress approved $500m (£323m) to train and equip around 5,000 rebels as a key plank of US strategy against IS. | Congress approved $500m (£323m) to train and equip around 5,000 rebels as a key plank of US strategy against IS. |
But the first 54 graduates were routed by an al-Qaeda affiliate, Gen Lloyd Austin told lawmakers. | But the first 54 graduates were routed by an al-Qaeda affiliate, Gen Lloyd Austin told lawmakers. |
Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte said the number remaining was a "joke". | Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte said the number remaining was a "joke". |
"We have to acknowledge this is a total failure. I wish it weren't so, but that's the fact," said another Republican Senator, Jeff Sessions. | "We have to acknowledge this is a total failure. I wish it weren't so, but that's the fact," said another Republican Senator, Jeff Sessions. |
'Small number' | 'Small number' |
Gen Austin, who heads the US military's Central Command (Centcom) was appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. | Gen Austin, who heads the US military's Central Command (Centcom) was appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. |
Asked how many US trained rebels were fighting he said: "It's a small number... we're talking four or five." | Asked how many US trained rebels were fighting he said: "It's a small number... we're talking four or five." |
He said there was clearly no way of meeting the goal of 5,000 recruits a year, but urged patience. | He said there was clearly no way of meeting the goal of 5,000 recruits a year, but urged patience. |
"It is taking a bit longer to get things done, but it must be this way if we are to achieve lasting and positive effects." | "It is taking a bit longer to get things done, but it must be this way if we are to achieve lasting and positive effects." |
Appearing alongside him, Christine Wormuth, Undersecretary of Defence for Policy, said around 100 more rebels were currently in training. | Appearing alongside him, Christine Wormuth, Undersecretary of Defence for Policy, said around 100 more rebels were currently in training. |
She said the reason for the low numbers was the vetting process used, with the US only recruiting rebels wanting to fight IS rather than Syrian government forces. | She said the reason for the low numbers was the vetting process used, with the US only recruiting rebels wanting to fight IS rather than Syrian government forces. |
It is not clear what happened to all of the initial group attacked in northern Syria - some were killed, others captured, while the rest scattered. | It is not clear what happened to all of the initial group attacked in northern Syria - some were killed, others captured, while the rest scattered. |
Gen Austin also promised "appropriate actions" if an investigation found than senior defence officials doctored intelligence to downplay IS and al-Qaeda strength in Syria. | Gen Austin also promised "appropriate actions" if an investigation found than senior defence officials doctored intelligence to downplay IS and al-Qaeda strength in Syria. |
The allegations that intelligence analysts' reports were being manipulated first emerged in the Daily Beast earlier this month. | The allegations that intelligence analysts' reports were being manipulated first emerged in the Daily Beast earlier this month. |
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